After a 2-2 start to the 2024 season, the Chargers have gone 7-4 since, and they’re now closing in on an AFC playoff spot.
Entering Week 17 at 9-6 following a win over Denver, Los Angeles has a high chance of claiming one of the conference’s three wild-card positions soon. Of course, there are still no guarantees for the Chargers to make the postseason bracket in Jim Harbaugh’s first season as head coach until they officially clinch.
The AFC West title has long been out of the Chargers’ hands, as the Chiefs ran away with the division earlier in the season. However, even with just one more win, Los Angeles could make its return to the NFL playoffs.
What does the Chargers’ path to the postseason look like entering Week 17? Ahead of a matchup against New England, here’s how Los Angeles could clinch a spot.
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Chargers playoff picture
The Chargers enter Week 17 as the AFC’s No. 6 seed, owning the tiebreaker over the 9-6 Broncos due to head-to-head record. However, three 7-8 teams that don’t currently own a spot remain alive in the conference’s wild-card chase: the Bengals, Dolphins, and Colts.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Chiefs | 15-1 |
| 2 | Bills | 12-3 |
| 3 | Ravens | 11-5 |
| 4 | Texans | 9-7 |
| 5 | Steelers | 10-6 |
| 6 | Chargers | 9-6 |
| 7 | Broncos | 9-6 |
| 8 | Colts | 7-8 |
| 9 | Dolphins | 7-8 |
| 10 | Bengals | 7-8 |
With the AFC West already being sealed, Los Angeles’ lone path to a postseason spot is the wild card, and just one win over their last two games would be enough for the Chargers to lock down a spot, as the trio of teams outside the picture all trail them by two games.
If the Chargers beat the Patriots in Week 17, they will clinch a playoff spot. Even if they lose this week, the Chargers could also secure their spot with just one loss or tie from both the Colts and Dolphins.
Ultimately, either one Chargers win or at least one loss for Indianapolis, Miami, and Cincinnati will help Harbaugh’s squad secure a playoff spot. Seeding will still need to be decided, as Los Angeles trails Baltimore by one game for the fifth seed but holds the tiebreaker over the Broncos. Especially with two favorable matchups remaining, Los Angeles will likely be able to get the job done to lock up its wild-card berth.
Chargers remaining schedule
The Chargers will conclude the regular season with matchups against two teams with losing records: the Patriots and Raiders.
| Date | Matchup | Opponent’s current record | Time (ET) |
| Dec. 28 | at Patriots | 3-12 | 1 p.m. |
| Jan. 5 | at Raiders | 3-12 | TBD |
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Chargers updated playoff chances
Entering Week 17, ESPN’s power index gives the Chargers a 92.5% chance of making the playoffs.
