What does Broncos-Chargers mean for AFC standings

The Broncos face the Chargers in Los Angeles on Thursday. We break down what the game means for the NFL playoff picture.

Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season begins with a classic AFC West matchup as the Los Angeles Chargers play host to the Denver Broncos. Not only is this a game featuring two storied rivals, but playoff spots are on the line in 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 own with a win tonight and a little help over the weekend.

Here is what is at stake in this AFC West clash, where the Chargers are favored by 2.5 points at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Broncos playoff picture

Denver has two pathways to the playoffs here in Week 16. The first is rather straightforward, while the second requires the Broncos to get a little help from their friends.

The easiest way for the Broncos to get in? A win over the Chargers tonight. Denver would also clinch a playoff berth should tonight’s game against Los Angeles end in a tie.

However, the Broncos can still back into the postseason with a loss to the Chargers tonight, but that would require them to g et a little help over the weekend. Even with a loss to Los Angeles, the Broncos can clinch a playoff spot with:

• A Miami Dolphins loss or tie against the San Francisco 49ers, AND
• A Cincinnati Bengals loss or tie against the Cleveland Browns, AND
• An Indianapolis Colts loss or tie against the Tennessee Titans

If those three games break their way, Denver still gets into the playoffs with a loss to the Chargers.

Chargers playoff picture

While the Broncos have a simple “win and in” situation Thursday night, things are decidedly more complicated for the Chargers. Even with a win over their AFC West rivals on Thursday Night Football, they still need a little help.

Here is how the Chargers can clinch a playoff spot this weekend.

First, they can get in if they beat the Broncos, and then the Miami Dolphins lose or tie against the San Francisco 49ers, and the Indianapolis Colts lose or tie against the Tennessee Titans.

However, the Chargers can also get into the playoffs in the unlikely scenario that their game against the Broncos ends in a tie. If that happens. 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 against the Cleveland Browns.

Should the Chargers lose tonight, they cannot clinch a playoff spot in Week 16.

Tiebreaker implications

This is the second meeting of the year between these two teams.

The Chargers won the first meeting, 23-16 over the Broncos back in October. Should the Chargers win this game, that would give them a head-to-head tiebreaker advantage over the Broncos.

But if Denver wins, any tiebreaker between the two teams would then move to the next tiebreaker, which is division record. At the moment both teams are 2-2 in their AFC West games, so a Broncos win would then give Denver the subsequent advantage in tiebreakers against the Chargers. While also clinching a playoff spot for the Broncos.