The good news for the Chargers is that after Sunday’s games, they’re in control of the AFC wild card race. The bad news is that no team plays a tougher schedule than San Diego the rest of the way.
The Chargers beat their fellow AFC wild card contender Ravens on Sunday, then benefitted from losses by the Steelers, Browns and Chiefs. As a result, the Chargers currently lead the way for the wild card with an 8-4 record. Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Kansas City, Buffalo and Baltimore are all tied for the sixth and final AFC playoff spot at 7-5, and the Dolphins will get to 7-5 if they beat the Jets tonight.
But while the Chargers have the lead in the wild card race, they also have the toughest schedule in the NFL. All four of San Diego’s remaining games are against teams with winning records: The Chargers play the 9-3 Patriots, 9-3 Broncos, 7-5 49ers and 7-5 Chiefs in the remaining four games.
The Chargers probably need to win three of their last four games to make the playoffs, and with that schedule, a 3-1 finish won’t be easy. San Diego looks like a wild-card favorite now at 8-4, but two weeks from now there’s a good chance the Chargers will be 8-6.
