Chargers playoff picture: Clinching scenarios for ‘Monday Night Football’

The Los Angeles Chargers can clinch a playoff spot on Monday without even playing in the game. The Indianapolis Colts stand in the Chargers’ way, but they play fellow playoff hopefuls in the San Francisco 49ers. The game is in Indianapolis and former Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers is somehow Indy’s starting QB.

Updated AFC standings

1. Denver Broncos 12-3 (clinched playoff berth)
2. New England Patriots 12-3 (clinched playoff berth)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars 11-4
4. Pittsburgh Steelers 9-6
5. Los Angeles Chargers 11-4
6. Buffalo Bills 11-4
7. Houston Texans 10-5
8. Indianapolis Colts 8-6
9. Baltimore Ravens 7-8

How the Chargers can clinch a playoff spot

Now that Los Angeles has 11 wins, they need one of the teams in the AFC wild card picture to pick up their seventh loss to secure a playoff spot. If the Colts lose Monday, their best possible record would be 10-7 and they would be unable to match or pass L.A.

A Colts would also secure playoff spots for the Jaguars and Bills for the same reason.

How the Chargers can clinch a playoff spot if the Colts win on Monday night

Los Angeles can’t clinch a playoff spot in Week 16 if the Colts beat the 49ers. L.A. would need to win either of their remaining games against the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos OR the Indianapolis Colts would have to lose one of their final two games against the Jaguars and Texans.

The Chargers would also clinch a playoff spot if the Texans lose their final two games to the Chargers and Colts.