Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers may be behind the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West race, but falling a little shy of catching the reigning champions will still keep them in the AFC playoff picture.
After defeating the Bengals on Sunday Night Football in Week 11, Los Angeles is 7-3 after Harbaugh’s first ten games back in charge of an NFL team, and there is plenty of reason for optimism.
Here’s a closer look at where the Chargers sit in the AFC playoff picture and where they could end up going if they continue to play well.
Can the Chargers Make the Playoffs?
After all the action in Week 11, the Los Angeles Chargers are 7-3 and now have an 84.9% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 3.9% chance for the 1 seed, a 2.4% chance for the second seed, a 1.1% chance for the third seed, a 0.1% chance for the fourth seed, a 31.2% chance for the fifth seed, a 29.3% chance for the sixth seed, and a 16.9% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Chargers Win the AFC West?
Here’s what the AFC West race looks like after all the Sunday action in Week 11:
- The Kansas City Chiefs have an 89.5% chance to win the AFC West.
- The Los Angeles Chargers have a 7.5% chance to win the AFC West.
- The Denver Broncos have a 3.0% chance to win the AFC West.
- The Las Vegas Raiders have a 0.0% chance to win the AFC West.
Current AFC West Standings
- Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)
- Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
- Denver Broncos (6-5)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)
Chargers’ Super Bowl Chances After Week 11
Can the Chargers win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Los Angeles has a 4.9% chance to win it all.
Chargers’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 12: vs. Baltimore Ravens
- Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons
- Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs
- Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 16: vs. Denver Broncos
- Week 17: at New England Patriots
- Week 18: at Las Vegas Raiders
What PFN Predicted for the Bengals vs. Chargers Matchup
The Week 11 slate features a matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Chargers at SoFi Stadium in a game between teams with contrasting styles. The Chargers are paced by an unforgiving defense while the Bengals feature an explosive offense.
Los Angeles enters on a three-game winning streak and boasts the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense, having surrendered only 13.1 offensive points per game so far. The Bengals, behind quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja’Marr Chase, rank No. 6 in scoring at 26.1 points per game and No. 4 in passing at 254.8 yards per game.
Last week, the Chargers’ offense was buoyed by the return of running back Gus Edwards, who had 10 carries for 55 yards. He joins J.K. Dobbins to give the Chargers a solid one-two punch at running back.
Meanwhile, quarterback Justin Herbert continues to spread the ball around in the passing game and keep it away from opposing defenses. Herbert, who had a touchdown run to go along with his touchdown pass, targeted eight different receivers on only 18 attempts last week.
Cincinnati enters Week 11 off a heartbreaking loss last week to Baltimore. Burrow lit up the Ravens’ defense, throwing for 428 yards and four touchdowns (264 of those yards and three of the four touchdowns went to Chase). It wasn’t enough, though, as the Bengals defense surrendered 28 points in the second half.
While the Bengals’ offense is up to its old tricks with Burrow and Chase leading the way, the defense has faltered. Cincinnati allows 26.2 points per game, ranks 29th in third-down defense, and has only 17 sacks and 10 takeaways on the season.
Los Angeles is currently listed as a one-point favorite and the total for the game sits at 48.0.
PFN Prediction: Chargers 28, Bengals 24