The sport obtained away. Needing to select up the items after a 40-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Chargers will attempt to make sure the season doesn’t slip away subsequent.
With simply their second shedding streak of the season, the Chargers (8-6) face a vital AFC West recreation towards the Denver Broncos (9-5) that would determine every crew’s playoff seeding.
The winner of Thursday night time’s recreation at SoFi Stadium has the higher hand for the No. 6 seed that doubtless would face the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) or Baltimore Ravens (9-5) within the first spherical of the playoffs. The Chargers and Broncos already misplaced to each AFC North contenders this season, however the various is much more treacherous.
The No. 7 seed doubtless can be relegated to a highway playoff recreation in Buffalo, the place the Payments (11-3) have gained 4 straight wild-card video games.
“We gotta get this dub by any means,” exterior linebacker Khalil Mack mentioned after Sunday’s loss.
The Chargers, who beat the Broncos in Week 6 for their first win in Denver since 2018, slipped into the seventh seed after giving up a season-high 40 factors and 506 yards to the Buccaneers (8-6).
Climbing into the sixth seed continues to be the probably playoff state of affairs for the Chargers, in line with ESPN’s playoff predictor that offers the Chargers a 39% probability of ending sixth in comparison with a 36% probability of ending seventh.
The remaining schedule could possibly be cause for hope.
After Thursday’s prime-time recreation, the Chargers end with New England (3-11) and Las Vegas (2-11). Each groups have been eradicated from playoff competition.
The Broncos need to battle off Cincinnati — which, at 6-8, continues to be taking part in for a playoff berth — and Kansas Metropolis (13-1), though the Chiefs may have the ability to sit starters within the season finale if the No. 1 seed is secured.
“Everything we want is still in front of us,” Chargers security Derwin James Jr. mentioned after Sunday’s recreation. “We still control our own destiny.”
The Chargers turned the web page shortly on a brief week by starting their postgame restoration within the locker room. Trainers stood by with therapeutic massage tables on the prepared and gamers jumped into restoration chilly tubs earlier than leaving the stadium.
Quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) entered the sport with a sprained left ankle and was listed as restricted on the Chargers’ estimated observe report for Monday.
Three beginning defensive backs have been on the report as cornerback Kristian Fulton (knee) and security Elijah Molden (knee) have been restricted in the course of the walk-through observe. Cornerback Cam Hart didn’t take part after struggling a concussion Sunday, the rookie’s second concussion within the final month.
Receiver Quentin Johnston (ankle) and tight finish Will Dissly (shoulder) additionally didn’t take part within the walk-through. Dissly missed Sunday’s recreation after injuring his shoulder towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, however he’s not anticipated to go on injured reserve, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh mentioned final week.
Linebacker Denzel Perryman, who has missed 4 video games with a groin harm, was a restricted participant, and defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia (pelvis) didn’t observe.
