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NFL Playoff Picture 2025: Bracket Clinching, Elimination Scenarios for Saturday W17

Dec 23, 2024

Week 17 in the NFL features a tripleheader of Saturday games, and there's even more to be excited about with the playoff implications attached to each matchup.

On Monday, the NFL revealed the clinching scenarios that will be featured in each game of Saturday's tripleheader:

The Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) have the easiest path to the postseason with a win-and-in scenario. To make matters even more favorable, they're facing the New England Patriots, who are ranked last in the AFC with a 3-12 record. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has spearheaded a swift turnaround for the Chargers in his first year with the team, bringing it to the doorstep of the playoffs after it fell short of the postseason in 2023.

The second game on the schedule carries significant implications for both teams. The Denver Broncos, who are one of the biggest surprises in the NFL at 9-6, can clinch a playoff berth with a victory. Head coach Sean Payton has brought the best out of rookie quarterback Bo Nix and completed the Broncos' rebuild quicker than many had expected.

However, they will be playing a motivated Cincinnati Bengals (7-8) squad that will be fighting to keep its season alive. A win would give the Bengals the opportunity to earn a playoff spot in Week 18, while a loss would eliminate them from contention.

In the nightcap, the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams (9-6) can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Arizona Cardinals (7-8). However, the Seattle Seahawks' matchup against the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football will impact the Rams' path to the postseason, as a loss by Seattle would allow Los Angeles to clinch the division title.

Fans will certainly be hyped to see who earns their way into the playoffs during Saturday's compelling slate of games.

Chargers OL: Justin Herbert in 'Sicko Mode,' Hypes QB as 'a F--king Animal' After Win

Dec 20, 2024

If there was any doubt as to Justin Herbert's influence within the Los Angeles Chargers locker room, he put that to bed in Thursday's 34-27 comeback win over the Denver Broncos.

"We would follow him into the depths of hell," offensive guard Trey Pipkins III said, per The Athletic's Daniel Popper. "We would literally follow him anywhere and lay our lives on the line for that man."

Pipkins added that Herbert went "sicko mode" against Denver and is a "f--king animal."

Herbert's final stat line is good but not necessarily exceptional. He finished 23-of-31 for 284 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

But the second-half display from the 2021 Pro Bowler was a performance that justified all of the hype that has followed him from early into his NFL career. The Chargers reeled off 21 unanswered points during one stretch as the Broncos defense had no answer for slowing L.A. down.

The plays Herbert executed were also what you'd expect of an elite signal-caller. On his 19-yard touchdown pass to Derius Davis early in the fourth quarter, he was moving to his left as he floated the ball over the top to his receiver.

All the while, the 26-year-old is still dealing with a nagging ankle injury. That didn't stop him from running for 28 yards on eight carries.

Chargers offensive tackle Rashawn Slater called Herbert "the ultimate competitor," per Popper.

"He uplifts everybody around him, just the way he goes about his business, the fire he plays with," Slater said. "He's unbelievable. I've never seen anything like it."

One prevailing narrative surrounding Herbert is that his stats inflate his actual value. Surely a quarterback with his reputation would have more than one playoff start through his first four years.

The counter to that argument is that the Chargers' issues on the field extended well beyond the output of their starting quarterback.

Herbert's 216.2 passing yards per game are on pace to be a career low. Should Los Angeles punch a ticket to the postseasonā€”it's sitting sixth in the AFC at 9-6ā€”he's nonetheless likely to start winning over some of his longstanding skeptics.

Justin Herbert, Jim Harbaugh Impress NFL Fans as Chargers Rally to Beat Nix, Broncos

Dec 20, 2024
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 19: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a pass against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter in the game at SoFi Stadium on December 19, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 19: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a pass against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter in the game at SoFi Stadium on December 19, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Chargers scored 21 unanswered second-half points en route to a 34-27 comeback victory against the AFC West rival Denver Broncos on Thursday in L.A.'s SoFi Stadium.

Bolts quarterback Justin Herbert completed 23-of-31 passes for 284 yards, two touchdowns and one interception to lead the 9-6 Chargers, who find themselves on the doorstep of clinching an AFC Wild Card berth after this win.

Chargers running back Gus Edwards rushed for 68 yards and two touchdowns. His second score, from five yards out, cut the Broncos' lead to 24-19 in the third quarter.

L.A. missed the two-point conversion, but the Chargers then forced a three-and-out and marched 78 yards down the field capped by a beautiful 19-yard Herbert dime to Demario Davis.

That throw got people talking.

Herbert then connected on a two-point conversion with Josh Palmer, who made a circus catch to give L.A. a 27-24 lead with 12:23 left.

The Chargers' defense continued its tremendous second half, stonewalling the Broncos on their next two possessions. L.A.'s offense then took care of business thanks to three big plays: a 16-yard Herbert scramble, a 43-yard Edwards run and a 34-yard flip pass to Hassan Haskins for a crucial touchdown with 2:27 remaining.

Denver snuck in a 55-yard Wil Lutz field goal with 57 seconds left, but the Chargers recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock to earn the win.

Credit, of course, goes to a Chargers defense that settled down after letting up three first-half touchdowns.

L.A. kicker Cameron Dicker also became the first player since 1976 to make a fair catch free kick, nailing one from 57 yards out to cut the Broncos' lead to 21-13 at halftime.

Herbert's performance guided L.A. to victory, but head coach Jim Harbaugh, in his first year with the Chargers, has successfully turned around a team that hasn't made the playoffs in six years.

There's a little more work to be done on that front, but in the meantime, Herbert and Harbaugh received well-deserved praise.

L.A. can get to the playoffs in a few different ways, but at this very moment, it's win-and-in for the Bolts. The Chargers will be heavily favored in their last two games at the 3-11 New England Patriots and 2-12 Las Vegas Raiders. The Pats are up first on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 1 p.m. ET.

Video: Chargers' Rare Free-Kick FG vs. Broncos Excites Fans with Little-Used NFL Rule

Dec 20, 2024
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 15: JK Scott #16 and Cameron Dicker #11 of the Los Angeles Chargers warm up prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 15: JK Scott #16 and Cameron Dicker #11 of the Los Angeles Chargers warm up prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made the first fair catch free kick since 1976 after he nailed a 57-yarder to end the first half against the Denver Broncos on Thursday evening.

To set the scene, the Denver Broncos' Riley Dixon unleashed a 46-yard punt with eight seconds left that landed in returner Derius Davis' hands. However, Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith committed fair catch interference for a 15-yard penalty, putting the ball at the Denver 47-yard line.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken then took advantage of a little-used rule that allows teams to attempt a place kick or drop kick from the spot of the catch.

With the benefit of the 15-yard penalty, Dicker would then attempt a 57-yard field goal to make it a one-possession game.

Dicker nailed the kick, becoming the first player since another Charger, Ray Wersching, got the job done from 45 yards out against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 21, 1976.

Only seven players have ever successfully made the kick, with the legendary Curly Lambeau first doing so for the Green Bay Packers in 1921.

Only two other kickers (the Cleveland Browns' Phil Dawson from 71 yards in 2013 and the Carolina Panthers' Joey Slye from 60 yards in 2019) had even attempted the fair catch free kick over the last 15 years.

Naturally, the fair catch free kick got people talking, simply because it's such an anomaly.

https://twitter.com/bigcontentguy/status/1869939638586032612

Credit, of course, also goes to Dicker for getting the job done, ending a 48-year cold streak. This is also another notch in his 2024 resume for fans to consider when voting for the Pro Bowl.

Dicker joins Lambeau, the New York Giants' Ken Strong (1933), the Packers' Paul Hornung (1964), the Minnesota Vikings' Fred Cox (1966), the Chicago Bears' Mac Percival (1968) and Wersching on the exclusive list.

NFL News: Judge Judy Named Honorary Captain for Jim Harbaugh, Chargers vs. Bucs

Dec 15, 2024
UNSPECIFIED - OCTOBER 10: In this screengrab Judge Judith Sheindlin appears during the 2020 Carousel of Hope Ball benefiting the Children’s Diabetes Foundation on October 10, 2020 in UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED - Region AMER. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for Children's Diabetes Foundation )
UNSPECIFIED - OCTOBER 10: In this screengrab Judge Judith Sheindlin appears during the 2020 Carousel of Hope Ball benefiting the Childrenā€™s Diabetes Foundation on October 10, 2020 in UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED - Region AMER. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for Children's Diabetes Foundation )

If the Los Angeles Chargers have any complaints with the rulings from the officials on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they'll have their own judge on the case.

According to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry, Judge Judy will serve as an honorary captain for the team against the Bucs. The team's head coach, Jim Harbaugh, is reportedly a big fan of hers.

Harbaugh's methods may be unusual at times, but they've certainly been working in his first year back in the NFL. The Chargers are currently 8-5 and holding on to the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs, currently with the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Denver Broncos (8-5) and a two-game lead on the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) and Miami Dolphins (6-7).

"He's a great coach. A great leader," Bucs guard Ben Bredesonā€”who played under Harbaugh at Michiganā€”told reporters this week. "I really enjoyed playing for him, and so did my brother (Max). They're having a good year over there. He's got a unique personality. Guys play for him, and I think he's having some success back in the NFL."

As for the honorable Judy Sheindlin, most famously known as Judge Judy, she's had a surprising level of crossover into the world of sports this week. After Juan Soto signed his massive 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, his former manager, Mike Shildt, cited Sheindlin's lucrative career to offer some context on Soto.

"To her credit, Judge Judy was making $47 million," he told reporters. "Forty-seven million a year! I don't think she throws a really good curveball or can hit a good slider. She's making way more than anybody before Juan has made in our industry. So, it's all perspective. Good for Juan. I'm happy for him."

And back in 2013, Harbaughā€”then the head coach of the San Francisco 49ersā€”went to a taping of the Judge Judy show.

"I'm a big fan of the 'Judge Judy' show," he said at the time. "And when you lie in Judge Judy's courtroom, it's over. Your credibility is completely lost. You stand no chance of winning that case. So, I learned that from her."

NFL Rumors: Jim Harbaugh Eyed Bears, Raiders HC Jobs Before Joining Chargers

Dec 5, 2024
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a football before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a football before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

After winning a national championship at Michigan last year, Jim Harbaugh landed a head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers and has gone on to put together a solid season.

But two teams were reportedly in the mix to hire him before the Chargers did. NFL insider Michael Lombardi confirmed a report that Harbaugh was interested in the Chicago Bears and also noted that he eyed the Las Vegas Raiders coaching job.

"There were two teams that Jim Harbaugh would have loved to work for last year," he said on the Pat McAfee Show. "The Bears, who he played for and was the [first-round draft] pick for, and then the Las Vegas Raiders, who he worked for in his first coaching job. Neither team decided to go after him. Why, I don't know."

Both the Bears and Raiders might be regretting their decision not to pursue Harabugh last offseason. Chicago is 4-8 and just fired head coach Matt Eberflus after losing a sixth straight game. Las Vegas has lost eight straight and is on its way to missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season, sitting at 2-10 on the year.

Harbaugh's Chargers, meanwhile, are 8-4 after going 5-12 a season ago. Los Angeles, which sits second in the AFC West behind the Kansas City Chiefs, has a manageable stretch to close out the season and can secure a playoff spot with a few more wins.

Had Harbaugh landed with the Bears, things could have gone much differently in Chicago. The Bears have plenty of talent with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams under center and receivers like DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen. They've shown flashes of potential all year, losing to strong teams like the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions by less than a touchdown, but perhaps didn't have the right coach making the calls.

It's hard to say whether things would have gone better with the Raiders if Harbaugh had been at the helm given all their struggles, but his success with the Chargers seems to indicate Las Vegas could have had a more promising season.

Chargers' J.K. Dobbins Placed on IR with Knee Injury Suffered vs. Ravens, Out 4 Games

Nov 30, 2024
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORINA - NOVEMBER 25: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball during an NFL Football game against the Baltimore Ravens at SoFi Stadium on November 25, 2024 in Inglewood, Califorina. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORINA - NOVEMBER 25: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball during an NFL Football game against the Baltimore Ravens at SoFi Stadium on November 25, 2024 in Inglewood, Califorina. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Chargers placed running back J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve due to an MCL sprain that he suffered during a 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Chargers "want to be cautious" with Dobbins' injury and ensure that he's "healed up for the stretch run" of the season.

The 25-year-old will now miss a minimum of four games, meaning that his earliest opportunity to return is against the New England Patriots on Dec. 29.

Dobbins picked up 40 yards on six carries in the first two quarters against Baltimore and didn't play in the second half after sustaining the injury.

The former second-round pick was off to a strong start in his first year with the Chargers, totaling 900 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns in 11 appearances while averaging a career-high 69.6 yards per game on the ground.

Dobbins was originally selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2020 NFL draft before signing a one-year contract with Los Angeles as a free agent in April.

He averaged 5.8 yards per carry as a member of the Ravens, although he struggled to stay on the field as the start of his career was marred by health issues. Dobbins missed the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL and only appeared in eight games during his 2022 campaign with another knee injury.

His 2023 season was also cut short due to an Achilles tear suffered in Week 1.

While Dobbins may be able to return before the regular season comes to a close, it's still a tough blow to a Chargers team attempting to secure a playoff spot with a 7-4 record.

In his absence, Los Angeles should turn to Gus Edwards and will likely utilize quarterback Justin Herbert's ability to make plays with his legs.

Fantasy News: Chargers' J.K. Dobbins to 'Miss Some Time' with Knee Sprain Injury

Nov 27, 2024
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORINA - NOVEMBER 25: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball during an NFL Football game against the Baltimore Ravens at SoFi Stadium on November 25, 2024 in Inglewood, Califorina. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORINA - NOVEMBER 25: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball during an NFL Football game against the Baltimore Ravens at SoFi Stadium on November 25, 2024 in Inglewood, Califorina. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins is reportedly expected to miss L.A.'s next game and possibly more due to a knee injury.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Dobbins suffered a sprained knee in Monday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and it will cause him to "miss some time."

Rapoport noted that Dobbins will not play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, and his status is "up in the air" after that.

ESPN's Adam Schefter provided additional insight:

After playing in a total of just nine games from 2021 to 2023 with the Ravens due to injury, Dobbins signed a one-year, $1.61 million contract with the Chargers in free agency this past offseason.

Dobbins was coming off a torn ACL suffered in 2021 and a torn Achilles suffered in 2023, so it was unclear what he could bring to the table, although he had youth on his side since he doesn't turn 26 until next month.

The signing has largely paid dividends with Dobbins rushing for 766 yards and eight touchdowns on 158 carries, giving him a yards-per-carry average of 4.8. He has also contributed to the passing game with 28 receptions for 134 yards.

Statistically, Dobbins is enjoying his best season since his rookie campaign with the Ravens in 2020 when the Ohio State alum rushed for 805 yards and nine scores, and averaged 6.0 yards per carry.

L.A. has provided Dobbins with some comfort and familiarity, as offensive coordinator Greg Roman was previously his OC with the Ravens from 2020 through 2022.

Dobbins also has a head coach in Jim Harbaugh, who is the brother of his former head coach with the Ravens in John Harbaugh. Like John, Jim likes to establish the run, and Dobbins has been a huge part of doing so.

With Dobbins on the shelf for at least one week and possibly more, the Chargers are likely to turn to another Ravens running back in Gus Edwards.

The Bolts signed Edwards to a two-year, $6.5 million deal during the offseason, so he was widely expected to be their top running back this season, although it didn't work out that way.

Edwards struggled early in the year and then suffered an ankle injury that caused him to miss four games.

Overall, the powerful runner has rushed for just 206 yards and one touchdown on 63 carries this season, but his usage figures to go up significantly for as long as Dobbins is out.

Like Dobbins, Edwards has a ton of experience playing in a Roman-run offense, as they worked together in Baltimore from 2019 to 2022.

Edwards had at least 700 rushing yards in each of the four seasons in which he appeared in at least 11 games for the Ravens, plus he set career highs last season with 810 yards and 13 scores.

Along with Edwards being the lead back, the Chargers figure to work Hassan Haskins and rookie sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal into the backfield rotation on Sunday.

Chargers' J.K. Dobbins Out vs. Ravens After Suffering Knee Injury Against Former Team

Nov 26, 2024
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 25: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter in the game at SoFi Stadium on November 25, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 25: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter in the game at SoFi Stadium on November 25, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

J.K. Dobbins will miss the remainder of Monday night's contest against his former team.

The Los Angeles Chargers running back is out for the rest of the matchup against the Baltimore Ravens with a knee injury, the team announced on social media. Shortly after halftime, Dobbins came out of the locker room wearing a brace on his knee before heading back into the locker room moments later, per the ESPN broadcast.

Dobbins, who spent the first four years of his career with Baltimore before signing a one-year deal with Los Angeles this offseason, had a solid start to the game with 40 rushing yards on six carries in the first half.

The former second-round pick in the 2020 draft is having a career season, totaling 766 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through 11 games. He's on pace to record a career-high in both rushing yards and touchdowns on the ground and is just five yards away from matching his career-high in receiving yards.

Unfortunately for Dobbins, the beginning of his career has been derailed by injuries. After a strong rookie year in 2020, he suffered a season-ending knee injury ahead of the 2021 season and played just eight games in 2022 due to a handful of knee injuries. Last season, he tore his Achilles in the Ravens' season opener and didn't play the rest of the year.

Dobbins has shown what he can do when he's healthy and he'll hope Monday's injury won't be a long-term setback.

The Chargers came into Monday's matchup at 7-3, sitting in fifth place in the AFC standings. They are second in the AFC West only behind the Kansas City Chiefs. After a disastrous 5-12 season that saw Los Angeles fire head coach Brandon Staley, the Chargers have thrived under new head coach Jim Harbaugh and now are in a good position to make the playoffs.

Getting Dobbins back on the field soon would be integral to their playoff hopes.

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