Sport outcome: The Chargers corralled the Broncos on Thursday Night time Soccer, and it was greater than only one recreation that they gained. The Chargers additionally handed the Broncos within the AFC playoff image. Each groups are 9-6, however LA has the head-to-head tiebreaker after sweeping Denver.
Each groups may additionally clinch playoff spots this weekend if the groups tied for eighth place fall by the wayside.
Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season begins with a basic AFC West matchup because the Los Angeles Chargers play host to the Denver Broncos. Not solely is that this a recreation that includes two storied rivals, however playoff spots are on the road on this matchup.
The Broncos can clinch a playoff spot with a win tonight over the Chargers, and Los Angeles can clinch a playoff spot of their very own with a win tonight and slightly assist over the weekend.
Here’s what is at stake on this AFC West conflict, the place the Chargers are favored by 2.5 factors at FanDuel Sportsboookay.
Broncos playoff image
Denver has two pathways to the playoffs right here in Week 16. The primary is reasonably simple, whereas the second requires the Broncos to get slightly assist from their mates.
The best manner for the Broncos to get in? A win over the Chargers tonight. Denver would additionally clinch a playoff berth ought to tonight’s recreation in opposition to Los Angeles finish in a tie.
Nevertheless, the Broncos can nonetheless again into the postseason with a loss to the Chargers tonight, however that will require them to g et slightly assist over the weekend. Even with a loss to Los Angeles, the Broncos can clinch a playoff spot with:
- A Miami Dolphins loss or tie in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, AND
- A Cincinnati Bengals loss or tie in opposition to the Cleveland Browns, AND
- An Indianapolis Colts loss or tie in opposition to the Tennessee Titans
If these three video games break their manner, Denver nonetheless will get into the playoffs with a loss to the Chargers.
Chargers playoff image
Whereas the Broncos have a easy “win and in” state of affairs Thursday evening, issues are decidedly extra difficult for the Chargers. Even with a win over their AFC West rivals on Thursday Night time Soccer, they nonetheless want slightly assist.
Right here is how the Chargers can clinch a playoff spot this weekend.
First, they will get in in the event that they beat the Broncos, after which the Miami Dolphins lose or tie in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, and the Indianapolis Colts lose or tie in opposition to the Tennessee Titans.
Nevertheless, the Chargers can even get into the playoffs within the unlikely state of affairs that their recreation in opposition to the Broncos ends in a tie. If that occurs. the Chargers get into the playoffs if the Dolphins lose to the 49ers, the Colts lose to the Titans, and the Cincinnati Bengals lose or tie in opposition to the Cleveland Browns.
Ought to the Chargers lose tonight, they can’t clinch a playoff spot in Week 16.
Tiebreaker implications
That is the second assembly of the yr between these two groups.
The Chargers gained the primary assembly, 23-16 over the Broncos again in October. Ought to the Chargers win this recreation, that will give them a head-to-head tiebreaker benefit over the Broncos.
But when Denver wins, any tiebreaker between the 2 groups would then transfer to the following tiebreaker, which is division report. For the time being each groups are 2-2 of their AFC West video games, so a Broncos win would then give Denver the following benefit in tiebreakers in opposition to the Chargers. Whereas additionally clinching a playoff spot for the Broncos.
