The Los Angeles Chargers, entering the second season under Jim Harbaugh, are making the transition from a team defined by perennial potential to a legitimate AFC playoff contender.
With quarterback Justin Herbert at the helm, the Chargers have navigated a turbulent season to reach December squarely in the playoff hunt. Entering tonight's crucial Monday night matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles occupies a precarious AFC Wild Card spot.
The final five games represent a critical home stretch where the team will not only fight for a highly sought-after playoff berth but will also attempt to put late-season pressure on the AFC West leaders, the Denver Broncos.
Here's a look at the Chargers' standing going into the rematch with the defending champions.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture
Chargers playoff picture
The Chargers (8-4) enter the final quarter of the season firmly entrenched in the crowded AFC Wild Card race. With the Denver Broncos (11-2) and New England Patriots (11-2) dominating the top of the conference, the Chargers' path to the playoffs lies primarily through a Wild Card spot.
The Chargers currently have a 59% chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN Analytics 👀 pic.twitter.com/yvHlnrWDii
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) December 8, 2025
Going into the matchup with the Eagles, the Chargers currently hold the No. 6 seed, but this position is highly precarious, as teams like the Houston Texans (8-5) and Indianapolis Colts (8-5) are immediately behind them and hold important tiebreakers. Those two teams are going in different directions; the Texans have won five straight games, while the Colts season outlook looks dire after losing Daniel Jones for the rest of the season with an achilles injury.
With five critical games remaining, the Chargers cannot afford to rely on others; their focus must be on maintaining their winning percentage against a challenging final slate to secure a playoff berth.
| Seed | Team | Record (W-L) |
| 1 | New England Patriots* | 11-2 |
| 2 | Denver Broncos* | 11-2 |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars* | 9-4 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers* | 7-6 |
| 5 | Buffalo Bills | 9-4 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Chargers | 8-4 |
| 7 | Houston Texans | 8-5 |
| 8 | Indianapolis Colts | 8-5 |
| 9 | Baltimore Ravens | 6-7 |
| 10 | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-7 |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | 6-7 |
| 12 | Cincinnati Bengals | 4-9 (eliminated) |
| 13 | Cleveland Browns | 3-10 (eliminated) |
| 14 | New York Jets | 3-10 (eliminated) |
| 15 | Raiders | 2-11 (eliminated) |
| 16 | Tennessee Titans | 2-11 (eliminated) |
*Division leaders
The Chargers' hopes for the AFC West division title alive, but slim. The Denver Broncos (11-2) have established a commanding lead, forcing the Chargers to prioritize a Wild Card entry. However, the division race is not mathematically over, and the two teams still face each other in Week 18. With a win there, Los Angeles would have full control of the head-to-head tiebreaker after beating Denver in Week 3 as well.
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Chargers remaining schedule
The final five games represent a make-or-break stretch that will define the Chargers' season. This daunting schedule includes road matchups against division rival Chiefs and the top-seeded Broncos, as well as an interconference battle against the Cowboys.
| Week | Opponent |
| 14 | vs. Eagles |
| 15 | at Chiefs |
| 16 | at Cowboys |
| 17 | vs. Texans |
| 18 | at Broncos |
The Chargers' ability to secure a playoff position hinges entirely on winning against superior competition and outperforming the other fringe contenders.
MORE: AFC wild-race gets even tighter after Week 14 results