I wrote an article here yesterday that argued that the Los Angeles Chargers didn't have much left to play for and should rest Justin Herbert (among other important players) for their Week 18 matchup in Denver against the Broncos.

I think that's mostly true (, but part of my math was thinking that the Chargers were trapped in the AFC's #7 seed because I didn't think the Buffalo Bills would lose to a Philadelphia Eagles team that didn't have much to play for and I certainly don't think they will lose to the New York Jets next week. So far, I'm oh-for-one.

The Eagles, in fact, won an ugly 13-12 game in Buffalo yesterday. That loss pushed Buffalo down to the #7 seed and pushed the Chargers up to #6. If Los Angeles can beat the Broncos and have Philip Rivers' Indianapolis Colts beat the Houston Texans, the Chargers can actually get all the way up to the #5 seed.

Should the Chargers get up to #5, they'll be facing off against the division winner with the worst overall record (the Steelers or Ravens, whichever team wins their matchup next weekend).

Now, that.......that is worth playing hard for. That is worth putting your starters at risk for. 

Is there still a chance that the Chargers could end up playing in Denver two weekends in a row? Yes! Actually, let's organize this:

Los Angeles Chargers (7) at New England Patriots (2): This is the "chalk" outcome, where all of the teams with better records beat their lesser opponents in Week 18. The Broncos beat the Chargers, the Texans beat the Colts, the Bills beat the Jets, the Jaguars beat the Titans and the Steelers beat the Ravens.

Los Angeles Chargers (6) at Denver Broncos (3): This is what happens if all of the above happens but the Chargers win their game in Denver: They get to do it all over again a week later against a team that will be pissed to have missed out on a bye week and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Would like to avoid this, if possible.

Los Angeles Chargers (5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4): Okay, now I've given Week 18 wins to the Chargers (in Denver) and the Colts (in Houston). Philip Rivers helping his old club to go from a terrifying opponent to a pretty tame one would be a really fun sendoff for him, and it's essentially the only thing left for him to play for (the Colts have already been eliminated from the NFL Playoffs).

If that happens, I hope Philip shows up on the Chargers sidelines next week to root on the blue and gold. And I hope they give him a hero's welcome.

Los Angeles Chargers (5) at Baltimore Ravens (4): Same scenario as the one right above it, except the Ravens win their Week 18 game (in Pittsburgh).

There are other games (Bills/Jets and Jaguars/Titans) that move things around in the AFC, but nothing that would put the Chargers in a different seed or against a different opponent than what is listed above.

Because the Broncos won the division, the Chargers will start their journey to the Super Bowl on the road. Where and when and against whom is very much still up in the air.