The Chargers have regressed to the mean in recent weeks, but their Week 15 loss likely felt more like a punch to the mouth than any of their other losses.
Narrow defeats at the hands of the Ravens and Chiefs can be excused for a Chargers team that seems to be ahead of schedule this season, but surrendering 40 points to the Buccaneers was a wake-up call for Jim Harbaugh's group. Can they respond on Thursday?
The Chargers can still take a massive step toward the playoffs with a win over their AFC West rivals, which would also give them the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Broncos to potentially improve their seeding position in the wild-card race.
Here's an updated look at the Chargers' playoff chances and how they can clinch in Week 16.
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Chargers playoff picture
AFC wild-card standings
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 5 | Ravens | 9-5 |
| 6 | Chargers | 9-6 |
| 7 | Broncos | 9-6 |
| 8 | Colts | 6-8 |
| 9 | Dolphins | 6-8 |
| 10 | Bengals | 6-8 |
| 11 | Jets | 4-10 |
| 12 | Browns | 3-11 |
| 13 | Jaguars | 3-11 |
| 14 | Titans | 3-11 |
| 15 | Patriots | 3-11 |
| 16 | Raiders | 2-12 |
The Chargers entered Week 16 having lost three of their past four games, but they remained well-positioned to reach the playoffs after recent losses by the Dolphins and Colts. The win over the Broncos left the Chargers highly likely to make the playoffs, though it wasn't enough for L.A. to clinch a spot.
Harbaugh's squad can still clinch with losses by both the Dolphins and Colts on Sunday. Even if that scenario doesn't play out, the Chargers would face a win-and-in scenario in Week 17.
The victory on Thursday also moved the Chargers up to the No. 6 seed and clinched the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Broncos. If L.A. wins out, it would be guaranteed to finish no worse than the No. 6 seed, potentially allowing the Chargers to avoid the Bills in the wild-card round.
The Chargers' AFC West hopes are gone, as the Chiefs already clinched the division title.
MORE NFL WEEK 16:
- Week 16 NFL Power Rankings
- Week 16 NFL picks straight-up
- Week 16 NFL picks against the spread
- Week 16 NFL playoff picture
Chargers remaining schedule
| Week | Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| 17 | Dec. 28 | at Patriots | 1 p.m. |
| 18 | Jan. 5 | at Raiders | TBD |
The Chargers' final two games come against teams who enter Week 16 with a combined 5-23 record.
L.A. will close its season against the Patriots and Raiders. While both games are on the road and can't be taken for granted, New England has allowed at least 25 points in four consecutive games and Las Vegas hasn't won since September. There wouldn't be much of an excuse for the Chargers not to take care of business against at least one of those teams.
Chargers updated playoff chances
ESPN's Football Power Index rated the Chargers' playoff chances at 88 percent entering Week 16, and that figure is set to jump after the victory.
