The Los Angeles Chargers just keep rolling.
With their 11th win of the season coming on the road against the Dallas Cowboys, Jim Harbaugh’s crew is officially one of the hottest teams in football. Winners of four straight and seven of their last eight, the Chargers have flipped the switch at the right time.
After a 4-3 start that raised a few eyebrows, they've surged into the thick of the AFC playoff race-and they’re not just looking to get in. They’re pushing for the division crown.
Let’s break it down.
Chargers Heating Up at the Right Time
This isn’t just a team stringing together wins-they’re doing it with purpose. Harbaugh has this squad playing sharp, physical football on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, they’re finding rhythm and balance, and the defense is tightening up when it matters most. That’s a formula built for December and beyond.
At 11-4, the Chargers are right on the heels of the division-leading Denver Broncos, who sit at 12-2 heading into their Week 16 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. And while Denver holds the top spot for now, Los Angeles isn’t out of the race-not by a long shot.
The AFC West: Far From Settled
Here’s how the AFC West looks with two weeks to go:
- Denver Broncos (12-2) - Set to face the Jaguars in Week 16
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) - Will take on the Texans in Week 16
Now, Denver can’t be caught this week regardless of how their game plays out, but the Chargers still have a realistic path to the division title. Thanks to their Week 3 win over the Broncos, Los Angeles holds the head-to-head tiebreaker. That could loom large if both teams finish with identical records.
And here’s where it gets really interesting: the Chargers and Broncos face off again in Week 18. If things break the right way over the next couple of weeks, that game could decide the AFC West. Of course, Denver still controls its own destiny, but the Chargers are right there, applying pressure and waiting to pounce.
Playoff Picture Coming Into Focus
Sunday’s win didn’t just keep the division hopes alive-it all but locked up a playoff berth for the Chargers. They’re not officially in yet, but they’re on the doorstep.
They can clinch a postseason spot as early as Week 16, depending on how a couple of other games shake out. If either the Houston Texans or Indianapolis Colts take care of business-Houston faces the Raiders, while Indy travels to San Francisco for Monday Night Football-Los Angeles will punch its ticket to the dance.
So, while the Bolts still need a little help to win the division, they’re in prime position to be playing meaningful football in January. And given the way they’re trending, no team is going to be thrilled to see them come playoff time.
Bottom Line
The Chargers are surging, the AFC West is still in play, and the playoff picture is starting to take shape. With Harbaugh at the helm and momentum on their side, Los Angeles is making a strong case as one of the most dangerous teams in the conference.
The road ahead won’t be easy-but if the last two months have shown us anything, it’s that this Chargers team is built for the fight.