How the Chargers’ victory over the Broncos on “TNF” affects the NFL playoff picture

How the Chargers’ victory over the Broncos on “TNF” affects the NFL playoff picture

With their 34-27 victory over the Denver Broncos on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium, the Los Angeles Chargers moved one step closer to a playoff spot in Jim Harbaugh’s first season at the helm.

In a game that featured the NFL’s first successful free kick field goal since 1976, the Chargers used a balanced attack and some creative coaching to stop the Broncos’ four-game winning streak.

With the win, Los Angeles can secure a spot in the playoffs from the comfort of their own home this weekend. The Chargers need the San Francisco 49ers to beat the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts to lose to the Tennessee Titans to secure a spot in the postseason round. Had they lost on Thursday night, the Chargers’ playoff odds would have dropped to 74% (via NFL.com).

The Broncos, on the other hand, could have punched their ticket to the postseason with a win. They could still clinch a playoff spot this weekend if the Dolphins, Colts and Cincinnati Bengals all win or tie.

Elsewhere in the AFC, the Bengals – who are given an 8% chance of making the playoffs – must now win while the Broncos lose.

Following the Chargers’ win on Thursday night, the NFL playoffs picture heading into the weekend looks like this (note: teams with playoff spots in contention are in bold and all playoff odds are provided by NFL.com):

SEEDS

TEAM

PLAY %

1

Lions (12–2)

100%

2

Eagles (12–2)

100%

3

Buccaneers (8–6)

83%

4

Aries (8–6)

56%

5

Vikings (12–2)

100%

6

Packers (10–4)

99%

7

Commanders (9–5)

84%

8

Seahawks (8–6)

34%

9

Falcons (7–7)

31%

10

Cardinals (7–7)

12%

11

49ers (6–8)

1%

12

Cowboys (6–8)

1%

13

Saints (5–9)

1%

ELIMINATED

14

Bears (4–10)

0%

15

Panthers (3–11)

0%

16

Giants (2–11)

0%

SEEDS

TEAM

PLAY %

1

Chiefs (13–1)

100%

2

Bills (11–3)

100%

3

Steelers (10–4)

100%

4

Texans (9–5)

100%

5

Ravens (9–5)

99%

6

Chargers (9–6)

98%

7

Broncos (9–6)

85%

8

Colt (6–8)

6%

9

Dolphins (6–8)

4%

10

Bengal (6–8)

8%

ELIMINATED

11

Jets (4–10)

0%

12

Shades of brown (3–11)

0%

13

Jaguars (3–11)

0%

14

Titans (3–11)

0%

15

Patriots (3–11)

0%

16

Robbers (2–12)

0%

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