EL SEGUNDO — If the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night in the teams’ final regular-season game, the Chargers will lock up the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs and set up a wild-card matchup. It will be. No. 3 seed Baltimore Ravens (assuming the Ravens beat the Cleveland Browns early Saturday).
If the Bengals beat the Steelers, they could jump into the No. 5 seed spot if the Chargers defeat the Las Vegas Raiders in their final regular-season game Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, which would put them ahead of the No. 4 seed. A lucrative wild card matchup is set. Seed Houston Texans.
Coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday that he and the Chargers are “taking it one day at a time.” What exactly does this mean? Would he play as a starter in either scenario, playing for his 11th win in 17 games in his first season as the Chargers’ coach? Or are they planning to rest their key players once the seeding is decided?
“I’m going to do what’s best for the team,” Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh also said, “We’re not seeded.” We’re playing to move up. We want to be the No. 5 seed. That would give them a chance to play a playoff game at home. It could be a home divisional round or a home championship game. That is our position. The plan is to win.
“That was our mindset from the beginning: Win the next game.”
The Chargers (10-6) defeated the New England Patriots 40-7 on Saturday to earn a wild-card berth. No matter if the Chargers win, lose or tie against the Raiders (4 wins, 12 losses), they cannot finish below the 6th seed. If the Chargers and Bengals win, the Chargers will move up to fifth place.
The Ravens (11-5) will face the Cleveland Browns (3-13) on Saturday, and a win (or a loss for the Steelers) will clinch the AFC North title. Baltimore defeated the Chargers earlier this season, and coach John Harbaugh has a 3-0 record against his brother Jim. The Texans, who are 9-7 and secure the No. 4 seed, will face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
malden sideline
Safety Elijah Molden suffered a fractured fibula in the Chargers’ win over the Patriots and will likely miss the rest of the season, Harbaugh said. Malden initially thought he bruised his shin from a third-quarter collision, but then realized it was more serious.
Malden’s absence for Sunday’s game against the Raiders and the ensuing playoffs will leave the Chargers shorthanded in a key position opposite Derwin James Jr. Arohi Gilman is on injured reserve after sustaining a hamstring injury in the Chargers’ loss to the Ravens. November 25th.
Assuming the Chargers don’t open up room for Gilman to return to the active roster from IR, Tony Jefferson will likely replace Malden. Jefferson spent the 2023 season as a member of the Ravens’ scouting department before coming out of retirement to join the Chargers this season.
