Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season begins with a basic AFC West matchup because the Los Angeles Chargers play host to the Denver Broncos. Not solely is that this a sport that includes two storied rivals, however playoff spots are on the road on 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 very own with a win tonight and a bit assist over the weekend.
Here’s what is at stake on this AFC West conflict, the place the Chargers are favored by 2.5 factors at FanDuel Sportsboook.
Broncos playoff image
Denver has two pathways to the playoffs right here in Week 16. The primary is reasonably easy, whereas the second requires the Broncos to get a bit assist from their buddies.
The best method for the Broncos to get in? A win over the Chargers tonight. Denver would additionally clinch a playoff berth ought to tonight’s sport in opposition to Los Angeles finish in a tie.
Nonetheless, the Broncos can nonetheless again into the postseason with a loss to the Chargers tonight, however that may require them to g et a bit assist over the weekend. Even with a loss to Los Angeles, the Broncos can clinch a playoff spot with:
- A Miami Dolphins loss or tie in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, AND
- A Cincinnati Bengals loss or tie in opposition to the Cleveland Browns, AND
- An Indianapolis Colts loss or tie in opposition to the Tennessee Titans
If these three video games break their method, Denver nonetheless will get into the playoffs with a loss to the Chargers.
Chargers playoff image
Whereas the Broncos have a easy “win and in” scenario Thursday evening, issues are decidedly extra sophisticated for the Chargers. Even with a win over their AFC West rivals on Thursday Night time Soccer, they nonetheless want a bit assist.
Right here is how the Chargers can clinch a playoff spot this weekend.
First, they’ll get in in the event that they beat the Broncos, after which the Miami Dolphins lose or tie in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, and the Indianapolis Colts lose or tie in opposition to the Tennessee Titans.
Nonetheless, the Chargers may get into the playoffs within the unlikely state of affairs that their sport in opposition to the Broncos ends in a tie. If that occurs. 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 in opposition to the Cleveland Browns.
Ought to the Chargers lose tonight, they can not clinch a playoff spot in Week 16.
Tiebreaker implications
That is the second assembly of the 12 months between these two groups.
The Chargers received the primary assembly, 23-16 over the Broncos again in October. Ought to the Chargers win this sport, that may give them a head-to-head tiebreaker benefit over the Broncos.
But when Denver wins, any tiebreaker between the 2 groups would then transfer to the following tiebreaker, which is division file. In the mean time each groups are 2-2 of their AFC West video games, so a Broncos win would then give Denver the next benefit in tiebreakers in opposition to the Chargers. Whereas additionally clinching a playoff spot for the Broncos.
