Following the loss to the Texans, the Chargers were eliminated from contention for the AFC West, with the Denver Broncos clinching the division. Los Angeles is currently the No. 6 seed, and they would face the Jaguars, who are currently the No. 3 seed, if the season ended today.

The Detroit Lions are officially eliminated from playoff contention after falling to the Max Brosmer-led Minnesota Vikings, 23-10, on Christmas. It was a horrendous day for Jared Goff, who finished the contest with five total turnovers.

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference's seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized Sunday,

As always at this time of year, playoff scenarios are floated around to picture different matchups. The Chargers clinched their spot and currently sit as the fifth seed. Who would they play if the season ended today? It's actually an AFC team that emerged from a rather weak division.

Week 17's NFL slate features several crucial contests, but none may be more important than Saturday's game between the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers.Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning in the AFC,

Riding a four-game winning streak into their Week 17 matchup, here is who Chargers fans should be rooting for in this week's NFL slate.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert showed how he moved on from his struggles in the 2024 playoffs against the Texans, looking forward to the rematch.

The Browns jumped out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead off the strength of a Shedeur Sanders touchdown to Harold Fannin, and the Steelers would never catch them. Two Chris Boswell field goals sandwiched around bad situational play-calls would be the only points Pittsburgh would put on the board.

Steelers playoff matchup if the NFL season ended today