The Los Angeles Chargers lost on Saturday to the Houston Texans and several outcomes cascaded. The Chargers can no longer win the AFC West and the Denver Broncos clinched the division in the biggest one. Secondly, the Chargers fell from fifth to seventh in the playoff race. They still have a playoff spot clinched, but now they are behind both the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans in the standings.
Current AFC standings
1. Denver Broncos (13-3) 2. New England Patriots (12-3) 3. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) 4. Pittsburgh
Steelers (9-6) 5. Buffalo Bills (11-4) 6. Houston Texans (11-5) 7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) 9. Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
The Indianapolis Colts are currently eighth in the playoff race but were eliminated when the Houston Texans won on Saturday night. The only playoff spot still up for grabs is the AFC North division winner. That could be settled as early as Saturday night if the Baltimore Ravens lose.
If the current standings hold, the Chargers would travel to New England for a date with the Patriots but there is a lot of football left to play in Weeks 17 and 18.
