After Los Angeles won 16-13 over the Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) on Dec. 14, here’s who Chargers fans should be rooting for in this week’s NFL slate.
The Bolts (10-4) will venture to AT&T Stadium for another potential elimination game, this time for the Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1), who need to win out and get help from other teams to claw their way into the NFL playoffs.
On the other end, the LA can ill-afford a loss while clinging to the AFC’s No. 5 seed via a tiebreaker over Buffalo and holding a slim one-game lead over Houston.
The matchups listed below obviously omit the Chargers-Cowboys game, since we’re all rooting for Los Angeles.
As a refresher, here are the current NFL Playoffs matchups entering Week 16:
AFC:Wildcard Round:NFC:Wildcard Round:
Now onto the individual matchups for Week 15:
Thursday, Dec. 18:Los Angeles Rams (11-3) at Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
This is an all-NFC matchup that has no impact on the Chargers.
If you have LA pride, then feel free to root for the Rams.
Preferred winner: Rams
Saturday, Dec. 20:Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) at Washington Commanders (4-10)
This is an all-NFC matchup that has no impact on the Chargers.
However, a victory by the Eagles would mathematically eliminate the Cowboys regardless of whether the Chargers beat them.
Preferred winner: Toss-up (Eagles for the laughs at the expense of the Cowboys)
Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) at Chicago Bears (10-4)
This is an all-NFC matchup that has no impact on the Chargers.
For those interested in this matchup, a Bears win would give Chicago a 1/2-game lead in the NFC North.
However, a Packers victory would give Green Bay the season sweep over Chicago and flip the NFC playoff seeding. In that scenario, Green Bay would become the No. 2 seed, while Chicago would fall to No. 7.
But what about the hilarious scenario of a tie?
If there is a tie (which would be hysterical), the current NFC North standings and the NFC playoff picture would remain the same, since a tie does absolutely nothing regarding divisional statuses.
Preferred Winner: Toss-up (Tie for the Sickos or those who dislike both teams)
Sunday, Dec. 21:New York Jets (3-10) at New Orleans Saints (4-10)
Tank Bowl: Part I!
While the Jets are an AFC franchise, this matchup has absolutely no impact on the Chargers.
Both of these franchises are near the bottom of the barrel in terms of the league standings, so the true winner of the matchup is actually the one who loses for NFL draft position.
Preferred winner: Toss-Up (a tie will be very funny, considering the circumstances listed above)
Buffalo Bills (10-4) at Cleveland Browns (3-11)
Chargers fans will be avidly rooting for the Browns to pull off an epic upset here, as a Bills loss would give a single game of separation between Buffalo and Los Angeles.
Preferred winner: Browns (PLEASE!)
Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) at Tennessee Titans (2-12)
Given that the Chiefs have already been eliminated from NFL playoff contention and the Titans are the league’s “punching bag”, this matchup has no impact on the Chargers.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Minnesota Vikings(6-8) at New York Giants (2-12)
This is an all-NFC matchup that has no impact on the Chargers.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) at Carolina Panthers (7-7)
Similar to the Green Bay-Chicago matchup, this game has no impact on the Chargers as it is an entirely NFC clash.
For those interested in this matchup, a Panthers win would give Carolina the lead in the NFC South and replace Tampa Bay as the No. 4 seed.
Meanwhile, a Tampa Bay win would maintain the Buccaneers’ division lead and playoff seeding.
Both of these franchises also meet against each other in Week 18.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
With both franchises eliminated from playoff contention, this matchup has no impact on the Chargers.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) at Denver Broncos (11-2)
There is a clear outcome Chargers fans want from this matchup: a Broncos loss.
If the Broncos lose and the Chargers win, the Bolts would be within a single game of the AFC West division lead.
Preferred winner: Jaguars (PLEASE!)
This is an all-NFC matchup that has no impact on the Chargers.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) at Houston Texans (9-5)
Unfortunately, Chargers fans will have to root for the directionless Raiders, who are seemingly giving away games with no interest in winning.
Preferred winner: Raiders (PLEASE!)
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) at Detroit Lions (8-6)
This is an intriguing matchup for Chargers fans, as the winner of this game does not necessarily impact the Bolts.
Obviously, a Lions win does nothing for the Chargers. However, a Steelers victory would help cement Pittsburgh’s lead in the AFC East and the No. 4 seed.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
New England Patriots (11-3) at Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
Similar to the previously stated Pittsburgh-Detroit matchup, a Ravens victory would further complicate the AFC East standings if the Steelers lose to the Lions.
However, a Steelers victory would make this matchup a moot point for Chargers fans.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Monday, Dec. 22San Francisco 49ers (10-4) at Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
While this is an all-NFC matchup with no bearing on the Bolts’ playoff status, it will feature Chargers legend Philip Rivers as the Colts’ starting quarterback.
Given the legendary accomplishments Rivers has amassed with the then-San Diego Chargers, Bolts fans will undoubtedly be rooting for the Colts for the lore of the 44-year-old quarterback.
After listing all the matchups, it is now up to you to decide who to root for on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday while the Chargers look to conquer their final three games of the 2025-26 regular season.