Tag: Chargers playoffs

Everything you need to know about Chargers’ NFL playoffs record, history

The Los Angeles Chargers have been a good team in the wild-card round.

The Chargers are back in the playoffs after finishing last season with a 5-12 record. Much of their success can be attributed to head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has a proven track record in the playoffs, with a 5-3 record in the postseason and three trips to the Conference Championship.

Harbaugh has been to as many Super Bowls as the Chargers have: one. That Super Bowl appearance for the Bolts came back in 1995 when they lost to the 49ers, 49-26.

The Chargers’ all-time record in the playoffs, which dates back to 1960, is 12-19. They have played well in the wild-card round, currently with a 6-3 record. The Bolts have struggled in the divisional round, winning just four of 12 games.

The Chargers have been to the Conference Championship four times and are 1-3.

If the Bolts can beat the Texans, it will only fit the theme of them historically being a good team in the wild-card round.

5 reasons Chargers should feel good about facing Texans in wild-card round

The Chargers head into the playoffs on a three-game winning streak and will look to win on the road to advance to the divisional round.

In the first season under Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers return to the postseason as a five-seed. They headed into the Week 5 bye with a 2-2 record, but they were able to go 9-4 after the week off.

With an 11-6 record, they will face the Texans this weekend. Here are five reasons why Chargers fans should feel confident ahead of this weekend’s game in Houston.

Trajectory of team

As the 2024 season has progressed, the Chargers have only gotten better. Coming into the playoffs, they are playing arguably the best football of the season. All phases of the team complement each other well, led by the NFL’s best defense and an elite-level quarterback. They come into the postseason with three straight victories and will look to make it four against the Texans on Saturday.

Texans’ injuries at wide receiver

The Texans have lost a ton of firepower in the last few months. Before the season, they had arguably the best wide receiver trio in all of football. First, four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs tore his ACL back in Week 8. Then, Tank Dell suffered a serious season-ending knee injury in Week 16. It has left the Texans offense with limited weapons recently, and it bodes well for the Chargers. They will be able to focus on top wideout Nico Collins, albeit that is still easier said than done.

C.J. Stroud’s struggles

Stroud has not been the same quarterback in his second NFL season. After an impressive rookie campaign, many expected him to take another step in Year 2. That didn’t quite happen, as his 12 interceptions were tied for fourth-most in the NFL. Stroud threw just 20 touchdowns across 532 pass attempts, and his numbers took a dip across the board. While he’s still a talented quarterback, the Chargers secondary will have the opportunity to capitalize on some of his mistakes in this one.

Strength on strength

The Texans have a lethal pass-rushing duo in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. The two have combined for 23 sacks in 2024, and the team as a whole is tied-for-fourth in the NFL in sacks with 49. Fortunately, the Chargers have the perfect offensive tackle duo to counter those two. Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater have been exceptional all season, with the former being selected to his second Pro Bowl. This is all assuming that Slater plays this weekend, as his status still seems up in the air after missing the regular season finale.

A healthy J.K. Dobbins

This team’s running game was nonexistent without Dobbins in the lineup. In his two games since returning, the veteran has run the ball 37 times for 139 yards and a touchdown. Now, they at least have some balance on the offensive side of the ball. That will only open things up for Justin Herbert and the passing game, an aspect of the Chargers that has flourished over the last few months.

Chargers signing former first-round running back to practice squad

The Chargers added another running back to the mix, with J.K. Dobbins still working his way back from a knee injury.

The Chargers are signing running back Ezekiel Elliott to the practice squad, according to multiple sources.

Los Angeles is adding Elliott for insurance, with Gus Edwards dealing with an ankle injury and J.K. Dobbins not far removed from his knee injury that landed him on injured reserve.

According to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, Elliott had interest from “several playoff teams” but preferred the fit with the Bolts.

The Cowboys waived Elliott last week so that he could join a playoff team with his career nearing an end.

Elliott finished this season with Dallas with 74 carries for 226 yards and three touchdowns while adding 12 catches for 69 yards.

Across nine seasons, Elliott has 9,130 rushing yards for 74 touchdowns, and 2,718 receiving yards with 14 scores.

Elliott provides value in the passing game, as he is reliable as a blocker and can catch passes out of the backfield. He could be used as a rusher when Dobbins needs a breather.

AFC playoff picture: There are now 2 possible opponents for Chargers in wild card round

Who will the Chargers face in the wild-card round of the playoffs?

The Chargers now control their playoff fate after the Steelers lost to the Bengals on Saturday.

If Los Angeles beats the Raiders on Sunday, they will lock up the fifth seed and travel to Houston to play the Texans in the wild-card round.

However, if the Bolts lose to Las Vegas, Pittsburgh will get the fifth seed, and L.A. will be locked into the sixth seed, sending them to Baltimore to take on the Ravens next weekend.

With a win required for the best-case scenario, head coach Jim Harbaugh will likely play his starters. If the Chargers have a big enough lead, he could elect to pull them and play the backups.

Once all the games finish at the end of the day tomorrow, we will know the date and time Los Angeles will play and the broadcast it will be televised on.

AFC playoff picture: Chargers guaranteed to face 1 of 3 teams in wild-card round

The Chargers have secured their spot in the playoffs. Find out the three teams they could meet in the wild-card round.

The AFC playoff field has three guarantees: The Chiefs will hold the No. 1 seed, the Bills will have the second seed and the Texans will have the fourth seed. The rest of the seeds will be determined this upcoming weekend.

The Chargers are locked in with either the No. 5 or 6 seed. They can’t finish with the seventh seed after the Broncos lost to the Bengals last Saturday, as Los Angeles holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Denver.

One thing is certain: The Bolts will face one of three teams.

Below is the most straightforward path to each potential matchup in the wild-card round.

(4) Texans vs. (5) Chargers

  • Chargers win
  • Steelers loss

(3) Ravens vs. (6) Chargers

  • Steelers win
  • Ravens win
  • Chargers win or loss

(3) Steelers vs. (6) Chargers

  • Steelers win
  • Ravens loss
  • Chargers win or loss

Pittsburgh plays against the Bengals on Saturday night, which means the Chargers will know then if they can jump up to the fifth seed before they kick off against the Raiders.

Which seeds can Chargers secure in AFC playoff field?

The Chargers have clinched a playoff spot, but seeding is still up for grabs in the AFC.

The Chargers punched their ticket to the playoffs after defeating the Patriots on Saturday.

Now, the question remains: Which seed will Los Angeles get?

There are two options:

The Bolts can secure the No. 5 seed with a win over the Raiders next weekend and the Steelers lose to the Bengals.

If Pittsburgh wins, L.A. can’t get the fifth seed because the Steelers own the head-to-head tiebreaker.

If the Chargers were to get the fifth seed, they would play the fourth-seed Texans, who won the AFC South, on the road in the Wild Card Round.

The No. 6 seed is the lowest Los Angeles can get after the Broncos lost to the Bengals on Saturday night. L.A. owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over Denver.

The only way the Chargers get the sixth seed is if they lose to the Raiders or the Steelers beat the Bengals.

Should Los Angeles get the sixth seed, they would travel to face the AFC North champion, which is currently the Ravens.

However, if the Steelers win and Baltimore loses, the Chargers would go to Pittsburgh.

NFL playoff picture: Where the Chargers stand after Week 16

Find out how the win over the Broncos affected the Chargers’ chances of making the playoffs and their current seeding.

The Chargers beat the Broncos last Sunday. They improved to 9-6, as did their chances of making the playoffs.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles has a 95% chance of making the playoffs. With the Bolts’ win, they bumped back to the sixth seed, and the Broncos moved down into the seventh seed.

The Chargers can clinch a spot in the playoffs with a win over the Patriots next Sunday.

Here’s a look at the division standings after Week 16:

1. Chiefs (14-1) *clinched division*

2. Chargers (9-6)

3. Broncos (9-6)

4. Raiders (3-12)

And a look at the playoff picture:

*There are (7) available Playoff spots

1. Chiefs (14-1)

2. Bills (12-3)

3. Steelers (10-5)

4. Texans (9-6)

5. Ravens (10-5)

6. Chargers (9-6)

7. Broncos (9-6)

8. Colts (7-8)

9. Dolphins (7-8)

10. Bengals (7-8)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Broncos
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Chargers
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Ravens

NFL playoff picture: What are Chargers’ chances of making postseason after loss to Buccaneers?

Find out how the loss to the Buccaneers affected the Chargers’ chances of playing beyond the regular season.

The Chargers lost to the Buccaneers on Sunday. They fell to 8-6, as did their percentage of making the playoffs.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles has an 88% chance of making the playoffs. With the Bolts’ loss, they dropped to the seventh seed, and the Broncos moved into the sixth seed.

Here’s a look at the division standings entering Week 16:

1. Chiefs (13-1) *clinched division*

2. Broncos (9-5)

3. Chargers (8-6)

4. Raiders (2-11)

And a look at the playoff picture:

*There are (7) available Playoff spots

1. Chiefs (13-1)

2. Bills (11-3)

3. Steelers (10-4)

4. Texans (9-5)

5. Ravens (9-5)

6. Broncos (9-5)

7. Chargers (8-6)

8. Colts (6-8)

9. Dolphins (6-8)

10. Bengals (6-8)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Chargers
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Broncos
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Ravens

Chargers’ playoff chances look promising after Week 6 win

The Chargers have a relatively easy schedule coming up.

The Chargers improved to 3-2 after defeating the Broncos last Sunday.

According to Playoff Status, the NFL post-season probabilities after Week 6 show that Los Angeles has a 66% chance of making the playoffs.

This factors in win/loss with a probability based upon relative strengths.

It’s still early in the season, but the Chargers have an opportunity to be in great shape after the next five games. The Cardinals, Saints, Browns, Titans, and Bengals—all teams below .500—are on tap.

Aside from having a relatively easy schedule coming up, the Bolts’ defense has continued to show it can make life difficult for any opposing offense. Meanwhile, the offense seems to be starting to click.

I predicted L.A. would make the playoffs at the beginning of the season, and the numbers are in favor of it, too.

ESPN reveals Chargers’ chances to make playoffs after 2-0 start

While there are still 15 games to be played, Los Angeles’ chances of making the playoffs are relatively high.

The Chargers are sitting with a perfect 2-0 record to start the 2024 regular season.

While there are still 15 games to be played, Los Angeles’ chances of making the playoffs are relatively high.

According to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), the Bolts have a 70%  chance of making the playoffs.

ESPN’s FPI system is based on 10,000 simulations of the rest of the season, factoring in the results, the takeaways from the performances, and each team’s remaining schedule.

The Chargers haven’t had the toughest tests yet, but they soon will. The Steelers and Chiefs are their next two opponents before they head into the bye week.

I predicted that Los Angeles would finish with a 10-7 record and make the playoffs. A few factors led to my prediction, but the biggest one was that they had the second-easiest schedule in the NFL entering the year.

In addition, Jim Harbaugh has the Bolts playing a physical brand of football on both ends, and they’ve shown that they’re capable of going toe-to-toe with any team.