Eric Smith
Welcome back to the AFC Playoff Picture, a weekly look at wherethe Chargersstand in playoff chase.
The Bolts currently sit at 10-4 and are in a playoff spot with three games left.
Here's the look at the playoff landscape with standings, current playoff odds and a status update as we head into Week 16.
1. Denver Broncos (12-2)
Upcoming schedule
Week 16:vs. Jacksonville
Status:The Broncos became the first AFC team to secure a postseason spot with Sunday's win over the Packers.
Playoff Odds:Clinched
2. New England Patriots (11-3)
Upcoming schedule
Week 16:at Baltimore
Status:The Patriots missed a chance to clinch the AFC East on Sunday.
Playoff Odds:Greater than 99 percent (The Athletic), greater than 99 percent (NFL Next Gen Stats) and greater than 99 percent (ESPN)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
Upcoming schedule
Week 16:at Denver
Status:The Jaguars have won five straight games but face a big test Sunday in Denver.
Playoff Odds:99 percent (The Athletic), 97 percent (NFL Next Gen Stats) and 98 percent (ESPN)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
Upcoming schedule
Week 16:at Detroit
Status:The Steelers control their own destiny to win the AFC North.
Playoff Odds:63 percent (The Athletic), 61 percent (NFL Next Gen Stats) and 63 percent (ESPN)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
Upcoming schedule
Week 16:at Dallas
Status:TheChargers swept the Chiefson Sunday for the first time since 2013 to remain perfect in AFC West play. TheChargers can now clinch a playoff spotin Week 16 but that scenario requires a win Sunday against theDallas Cowboys. A big reason for the Bolts recent hot streak? The Chargers defense hasn't allowed more than 20 points and has tallied eight takeaways in three straight games. With December football in full swing, the Chargers have gotten hot with six wins in their past seven games. In other words, the Bolts seem to be peaking at the right time.
Playoff Odds:96 percent (The Athletic), 92 percent (NFL Next Gen Stats) and 95 percent (ESPN)
6. Buffalo Bills (10-4)
Upcoming schedule
Week 16:at Cleveland
Status:The Bills staged an epic comeback to prevent the Patriots from clinching the division.
Playoff Odds:greater than 99 percent (The Athletic), greater than 99 percent (NFL Next Gen Stats) and greater than 99 percent (ESPN)
7. Houston Texans (9-5)
Upcoming schedule
Week 16:vs. Las Vegas
Status:The Texans have won seven of eight games and are still in contention for the AFC South.
Playoff Odds:97 percent (The Athletic), 95 percent (NFL Next Gen Stats) and 95 percent (ESPN)
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
Upcoming schedule
Week 16:vs. San Francisco
Status:The Colts lost a heartbreaker Sunday with Philip Rivers at quarterback.
Playoff Odds:8 percent (The Athletic), 15 percent (NFL Next Gen Stats) and 12 percent (ESPN)
9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
Upcoming schedule
Week 16:vs. New England
Status:The Ravens still have postseason hopes with three games left.
Playoff Odds:37 percent (The Athletic), 40 percent (NFL Next Gen Stats) and 38 percent (ESPN)
Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Kansas City Chiefs
Las Vegas Raiders
Tennessee Titans
Cleveland Browns
New York Jets
Cincinnati Bengals
Miami Dolphins
