Chargers Seek 5th Seed in AFC Playoff Push Against Raiders

Los Angeles faces a pivotal Week 18 matchup to potentially secure a more favorable wild-card position, with playoff seeding hinging on other AFC results.

• The Chargers can move from the 6th to the 5th seed in the AFC playoffs with a win over the Raiders and a Steelers loss to the Bengals on Saturday.
• If the Chargers secure the 5th seed, they would face the 4th-seeded Houston Texans in the wild-card round instead of the 3rd-seeded Baltimore Ravens or Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Head coach Jim Harbaugh has emphasized a 'play to win' approach but has not disclosed whether starters will be rested if seeding is determined before Sunday’s game.
• Safety Elijah Molden is out for the season with a broken fibula, further depleting the Chargers' injury-riddled secondary ahead of the playoffs.
• The Chargers clinched a playoff berth with a dominant win over New England last week, marking their first postseason appearance since 2022.

4 Articles

Associated Press Associated Press Orange County Register Los Angeles Times