Justin Herbert playing tonight status set to impact Chargers' chances in AFC playoff picture

Billy Heyen

Justin Herbert playing tonight status set to impact Chargers' chances in AFC playoff picture image

The Los Angeles Chargers play a huge game for their playoff chances on Monday night.

They take on the Philadelphia Eagles to close out Week 14, and entering the night with an 8-4 record, the Chargers have an opportunity to solidify their place in the standings.

A win puts the Chargers in a tie for the AFC's best wild card record with the Buffalo Bills. A loss pushes L.A. Back into a mish-mosh of teams trying to hang on.

A victory also keeps the Chargers two games back of the Broncos in the AFC West, while a loss pretty much hands the division to Denver already.

A lot of this will come down to Justin Herbert's play down the stretch. He hurt his left hand a week ago in a win over the Raiders, and Chargers' fans were hopeful all week that he'd be good enough to suit up against Philly.

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Is Justin Herbert playing tonight?

Yes, Justin Herbert is expected to play on Monday night.

He's listed as questionable, but all the comments and reports out of L.A. Have made it clear Herbert plans to start at quarterback as usual.

He will likely be wearing some sort of cast protection on his left hand. That could impact certain play calls or formations for the Chargers.

But it's still better to have Herbert out there rather than anyone else.

Herbert's backup is Trey Lance, and the Chargers would prefer Lance gets to watch while Herbert does his usual thing in pursuit of a huge victory.

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Staff Writer