The Los Angeles Chargers, entering the second season under Jim Harbaugh, are making the transition from a team defined by perennial potential to a legitimate AFC playoff contender.

With quarterback Justin Herbert at the helm, the Chargers have navigated a turbulent season to reach December squarely in the playoff hunt. On Monday night, Los Angeles came up with a huge win over the Philadelphia Eagles to improve their playoff chances.

The final four games represent a critical stretch where the team will not only fight for a highly sought-after playoff berth but will also attempt to put late-season pressure on the AFC West leaders, the Denver Broncos.

Here’s a look at the Chargers’ standing going into the rematch with the defending champions.

MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture

Chargers playoff picture

The Chargers (9-4) enter the final quarter of the season firmly entrenched in the crowded AFC Wild Card race. With the Denver Broncos (11-2) and New England Patriots (11-2) dominating the top of the conference, the Chargers’ path to the playoffs lies primarily through a Wild Card spot.

The Chargers currently have a 59% chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN Analytics 👀 pic.twitter.com/yvHlnrWDii

— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) December 8, 2025

After beating the Eagles, the Chargers currently hold the No. 5 seed, but this position is highly precarious, as teams like the Buffalo Bills (9-4), Houston Texans (8-5) and Indianapolis Colts (8-5) are immediately behind them and hold important tiebreakers. The latter two teams are going in different directions; the Texans have won five straight games, while the Colts season outlook looks dire after losing Daniel Jones for the rest of the season with an achilles injury.

With four critical games remaining, the Chargers cannot afford to rely on others; their focus must be on maintaining their winning percentage against a challenging final slate to secure a playoff berth.

SeedTeamRecord (W-L)1New England Patriots*11-22Denver Broncos*11-23Jacksonville Jaguars*9-44Pittsburgh Steelers*7-65Los Angeles Chargers9-46Buffalo Bills9-47Houston Texans8-58Indianapolis Colts8-59Baltimore Ravens6-710Kansas City Chiefs6-711Miami Dolphins6-712Cincinnati Bengals4-9 (eliminated)13Cleveland Browns3-10 (eliminated)14New York Jets3-10 (eliminated)15Raiders2-11 (eliminated)16Tennessee Titans2-11 (eliminated)

*Division leaders

The Chargers’ hopes for the AFC West division title alive, but slim. The Denver Broncos (11-2) have established a commanding lead, forcing the Chargers to prioritize a Wild Card entry. However, the division race is not mathematically over, and the two teams still face each other in Week 18. With a win there, Los Angeles would have full control of the head-to-head tiebreaker after beating Denver in Week 3 as well.

POWER RANKINGS: Steelers, Packers rise; Chiefs, Colts keep sliding entering Week 15

Chargers remaining schedule

The final four games represent a make-or-break stretch that will define the Chargers’ season. This daunting schedule includes road matchups against division rival Chiefs and the top-seeded Broncos, as well as an interconference battle against the Cowboys.

WeekOpponent15at Chiefs16at Cowboys17vs. Texans18at Broncos

The Chargers’ ability to secure a playoff position hinges entirely on winning against superior competition and outperforming the other fringe contenders.

MORE: AFC wild-race gets even tighter after Week 14 results