Chargers News: Bolts Playoff Percent Chance Will Plummet With Loss to Broncos..Read more…
The Los Angeles Chargers are set to take on the Denver Broncos, their hated divisional rivals. What makes this game even more significant, is that it can act as an indicator that the Bolts will have a much better chance at making the playoffs.
Both the Broncos and Chargers are outside of the two wildcard spots, but the Broncos are currently #9. The Bolts are #12, but a big win would place them in a far more advantageous position, assuming other AFC playoff hopefuls also lose. Though the Chargers are not counted out of the playoffs, they are currently not in a great position to begin with, considering their record is 5-7. According to Eric Smith of Chargers.com, their playoff hopes will dwindle down to nothing with a loss to the Broncos.
“The playoffs might as well already be here for the Chargers and Broncos. With neither team above .500, the numbers show that Sunday’s matchup is essentially an elimination game. According to the New York Times’ **playoff simulator**, the Chargers currently hold a 7 percent chance to make the dance.
A Bolts win doubles those odds to 14 percent, while a loss drops them to just 2 percent.” Via Eric Smith, Chargers.com We are not saying that the playoff simulator that the New York Times has is 100% accurate, but we do already know that the Chargers are not in the best position to make the playoffs. The Bills, Bengals, Broncos, Steelers, Texans, and Colts are in their way right now. All those teams will also be playing hard to secure their wildcard venture.
The good news is the Steelers just dropped an important game to the Patriots, but the Chargers will need more help. Losing to the Broncos on Sunday will leave the Bolts with a 2% chance at the playoffs, which may as well place a bow on the season. Though crazy things do happen in the NFL, most of the listed teams would need to screw up their last games for the Chargers to make it to the playoffs.
The good news is the Chargers just stopped the Patriots, and did so without giving up a touchdown. Should the defense keep dominating as it has lately, the team has a strong chance of securing a wildcard spot.