The Los Angeles Chargers are 8-4 and firmly in the AFC playoff hunt, despite many doubting the team ahead of the regular season. Los Angeles has exceeded expectations and continued its impressive run against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13.
Following a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week, the Chargers got back into the win column on the road in Atlanta. What are Los Angeles’ chances of making the NFL playoffs or winning the Super Bowl? Let’s look at all the scenarios in play.
Can the Chargers Make the Playoffs?
Heading into Week 14, the Los Angeles Chargers are 8-4 and now have an 86.9% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 2.7% chance for the first seed, a 3.5% chance for the second seed, a 1.5% chance for the third seed, a <0.1% chance for the fourth seed, a 33.5% chance for the fifth seed, a 28.5% chance for the sixth seed, and a 17.2% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Chargers Win the AFC West?
Here’s what the AFC West race looks like heading into Week 14:
- The Kansas City Chiefs have an 89.0% chance to win the AFC.
- The Los Angeles Chargers have a 7.7% chance to win the AFC.
- The Denver Broncos have a 3.3% chance to win the AFC.
- The Las Vegas Raiders have a 0.0% chance to win the AFC.
Current AFC West Standings
- Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
- Denver Broncos (8-5)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
AFC Playoff Race | Week 18
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
2. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
3. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
4. Houston Texans (9-7)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
7. Denver Broncos (9-7)
In The Hunt
9. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
8. Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Eliminated From Playoffs
10. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
11. New York Jets (4-12)
12. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
14. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
15. New England Patriots (3-13)
16. Cleveland Browns (3-14)
Chargers’ Super Bowl Chances After Week 13
Can the Chargers win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Los Angeles has a <0.1% chance to win it all.
Chargers’ Remaining Schedule
- 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 Chargers vs. Falcons Matchup
Here’s where the Chargers and Falcons rank in various Pro Football Network metrics.
Chargers
Offense+ Metric: 21st (C-)
Defense+ Metric: 5th (B)
Justin Herbert QB+ Metric: 19th (C)
Falcons
Offense+ Metric: 12th (C+)
Defense+ Metric: 30th (D-)
Kirk Cousins QB+ Metric: 16th (C+)
The Chargers saw their four-game winning streak snapped by the Ravens last week. Now they’ll look to bounce back against the Falcons, who enjoyed a much-needed bye week in Week 12. Sunday’s matchup is pivotal for both teams, as they push to make the playoffs.
Los Angeles has relied on its stout defense all season long, led by Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. The Chargers have allowed just 15.9 points per game in 2024, which is the best mark in the league, despite Minter being a first-year NFL defensive coordinator.
Despite the Chargers moving on from several key wide receivers in the offseason, Justin Herbert has continued to play at a high level. While Herbert is just 18th in the NFL in passing yards (2,404), he has thrown 13 passing touchdowns with just one interception.
Thanks to Herbert’s ball security, the Chargers have just five turnovers as a team in 2024. Los Angeles’ efficiency on offense and dominance on defense has allowed it to remain competitive in nearly every game this season.
Following a 6-3 start to the regular season, the Falcons lost back-to-back games ahead of their much-needed bye week in Week 12. Now Atlanta will look to get back on track at home against the Chargers on Sunday.
Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins struggled mightily in Atlanta’s last two games, as he failed to throw a touchdown and threw two interceptions. The Falcons were dominated by the Denver Broncos in Week 11, who play similarly to the Chargers, as they also rely on an efficient offense and a dominant defense.
Atlanta’s pass defense could be an issue against the Chargers, as Herbert’s connection with rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey continues to improve each week. The Falcons have allowed 229.9 passing yards per game, the seventh-most in the NFL. Herbert could be in for a big day in Atlanta unless the Falcons corrected their issues during the bye week.
PFN Prediction: Chargers 23, Falcons 17