Chargers' Week 16 playoff clinching scenario depends on two of Jim Harbaugh's former teams
Even after a hugely disappointing Week 15 performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Los Angeles Chargers have a chance to clinch a playoff place on Thursday when they face the Denver Broncos. Los Angeles easily missed the postseason last year but has a chance to ensure they will be in dance for the second […]
Even after a hugely disappointing Week 15 performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Los Angeles Chargers have a chance to clinch a playoff place on Thursday when they face the Denver Broncos.
Los Angeles easily missed the postseason last year but has a chance to ensure they will be in dance for the second time in three seasons with victory over the Broncos at SoFi Stadium.
But they will also need some help to achieve that feat this week. Should they prevail on Thursday, the Chargers will be scoreboard watching for two of head coach Jim Harbaugh's former teams on Sunday.
If the Chargers do beat Denver, then they will qualify for the playoffs with a Miami Dolphins loss or tie against the San Francisco 49ers, the team Harbaugh coached from 2011 to 2014, and a Indianapolis Colts loss or tie versus the Tennessee Titans. Harbaugh quarterbacked the Colts from 1994 to 1997 and is in their Ring of Honor.
In the unlikely event that the Chargers tie the Broncos, they would make the playoffs with defeats for the Dolphins and Colts and a loss or tie for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Cleveland Browns.
Much like Brandon Staley in Week 18 of the 2021 season, Harbaugh will have no designs on playing for a tie. He'll want his current squad to take care of business and hope that two of his former teams earn contrasting results to allow the Chargers to punch their ticket.
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