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The Chargers need to follow the lead of coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert against the Broncos. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The game got away. Needing to pick up the pieces after a 40-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Chargers will try to ensure the season doesn’t slip away next.
With just their second losing streak of the season, the Chargers (8-6) face a critical AFC West game against the Denver Broncos (9-5) that could decide each team’s playoff seeding.
The winner of Thursday night’s game at SoFi Stadium has the upper hand for the No. 6 seed that likely would face the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) or Baltimore Ravens (9-5) in the first round of the playoffs. The Chargers and Broncos already lost to both AFC North contenders this season, but the alternative is even more treacherous.
The No. 7 seed likely would be relegated to a road playoff game in Buffalo, where the Bills (11-3) have won four straight wild-card games.
“We gotta get this dub by any means,” outside linebacker Khalil Mack said after Sunday’s loss.
The Chargers, who beat the Broncos in Week 6 for their first win in Denver since 2018, slipped into the seventh seed after giving up a season-high 40 points and 506 yards to the Buccaneers (8-6).
Read more: Chargers appear playoff-bound, but loss to Tampa could mean they’re bound for disaster
Climbing into the sixth seed is still the most likely playoff scenario for the Chargers, according to ESPN’s playoff predictor that gives the Chargers a 39% chance of finishing sixth compared to a 36% chance of finishing seventh.
The remaining schedule could be reason for hope.
After Thursday’s prime-time game, the Chargers finish with New England (3-11) and Las Vegas (2-11). Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Broncos have to fight off Cincinnati — which, at 6-8, is still playing for a playoff berth — and Kansas City (13-1), although the Chiefs might be able to sit starters in the season finale if…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-broncos-game-could-decide-233925618.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-12-16 23:39:00
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