Playoff Scenarios

Source: SD Tribune

The Chargers clinch their fourth consecutive playoff berth with a victory over (or tie against) the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Or they could lose and still clinch if one of six other combinations occur (See below).

The Chargers clinch the No.2 seed in the AFC and the bye that comes with it by beating the Bengals and having Denver and New England lose or tie.

To clinch the AFC West, the Chargers need Denver to lose against Oakland, or the Chargers could clinch the west with a combination of a win or tie and a Denver tie.

Here are the clinching scenarios:

Chargers win the West: 1. DEN loss 2. SD win or tie + DEN tie

Chargers clinch the No.2 seed: 1. SD win + DEN loss or tie + NE loss or tie

Chargers clinch a playoff spot: 1. SD win or tie 2. NE loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + MIA loss or tie 3. NE loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie 4. MIA loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie + BAL loss or tie 5. MIA loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie + JAC loss or tie 6. MIA loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + JAC loss or tie 7. NYJ loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + JAC loss or tie