Chargers Playoff Picture: Los Angeles Chargers control their playoff destiny and still have a good shot to win the division
The Los Angeles Chargers have seven games left to make a push for the playoffs.
At 7-3, the Los Angeles Chargers find themselves in strong position for a postseason berth but the path ahead remains far from easy. According to The Athletic’s playoff predictor, the Chargers currently hold an 82% chance of making the playoffs, a number that reflects both their solid record and a favorable standing in the AFC Wild Card race.
Still, those odds come with a major caveat: health. The Chargers have battled through a wave of injuries this season, and none looms larger than the loss of standout offensive tackle Joe Alt. The former Notre Dame star quickly became a cornerstone on the offensive line, anchoring protection for Justin Herbert and providing stability in both the run and pass game. Without him, the Chargers’ offense faces a tougher road, especially against some of the league’s most fearsome defensive fronts.
Every game from here on out will test the Chargers’ depth, adaptability, and resolve.
Tough games ahead
Chargers remaining schedule
- Week 11 @ Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 12 Bye
- Week 13 vs Las Vegas Raiders
- Week 14 vs Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 15 @ Kansas City Chiefs
- Week 16 @ Dallas Cowboys
- Week 17 vs Houston Texans
- Week 18 @ Denver Broncos
The upcoming stretch of games offers no comfort. The Chargers still must face the Kansas City Chiefs, perennial division rivals who have once again found themselves atop the AFC standings. A late-season showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles, one of the NFC’s elite teams, adds another significant challenge. Both games will serve as critical litmus tests for where Los Angeles stands among the league’s true contenders.
And then there’s Week 18, a matchup that could define the season. The Chargers are slated to face the Denver Broncos, who currently lead the AFC West at 8-2, just one game ahead of Los Angeles. If both teams stay on track, that meeting could effectively decide the division crown.
The bigger picture
For head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers, the focus remains on consistency. Despite the setbacks, the team has shown resilience on both sides of the ball. Justin Herbert continues to deliver elite-level quarterback play, while the defense has held strong in key moments, even against top offenses.
The challenge, however, will be sustaining that level with so many injuries, and doing so against some of the best teams in football.
Still, with a 7-3 record and an 82% playoff probability, the Chargers are very much in control of their own destiny. If they can navigate this brutal stretch, stay relatively healthy, and continue to build chemistry on a reshuffled offensive line, Los Angeles could not only secure a playoff berth but potentially set up a winner-take-all clash with Denver for the AFC West title.
