The Chargers have clinched a playoff berth and will be playing past Week 18.
But which seed will the Bolts earn? And who could the Chargers play?
The Chargers 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday took away the Bolts chances to claim the No. 1 seed and win the AFC West.
That means Jim Harbaugh’s squad will be a Wild Card squad for the second year in a row. The Chargers are currently the No. 7 seed as of Saturday night.
Here’s a breakdown of possible seeding and opponent scenarios for the Bolts now that we’re in Week 17:
No. 5 Seed
The only way the Chargers will be the No. 5 seed is if they win in Week 18 against the Broncos and get some help.
The Bolts would get the fifth seed if the Bills lose one of their final two games and the Texans lose to the Colts in Week 18.
The No. 5 seed, which the Chargers earned in 2024, would mean a road game in the Wild Card Round against the AFC North champion.
No. 6 Seed
The No. 6 seed is also a possibility for the Chargers.
Hypothetically, let’s assume Buffalo wins out. The simplest way for the Bolts to get this spot is to beat the Broncos in Week 18 and have the Texans lose to the Colts.
That would put the Chargers at 12-5 and Houston at 11-6 and moves the Bolts to the No. 6 seed.
The Chargers can also secure the No. 6 seed if they win in Week 18, the Texans win in Week 18 and Buffalo loses its final two games.
The No. 6 seed would mean a road date with the AFC’s No. 3 seed in the Wild Card Round.
As of Saturday night, that spot is projected to be the Jaguars as the winners of the AFC South.
No. 7 Seed
If the Chargers lose against Denver, they will be the No. 7 seed.
But even if the Bolts beat the Broncos, they would still be the seventh seed if the Texans win in Week 18 and the Bills win in Weeks 17 and 18.
The Bolts getting the No. 7 seed would mean a road game at the AFC’s No. 2 seed, which is currently the New England Patriots.