AFC playoff picture: Los Angeles Chargers move up again in Week 13

The Los Angeles Chargers moved up without playing a game last weekend and this weekend they were able to gain another slot in the AFC playoff picture. They now sit in fifth place in the conference.

The Chargers moved up because the Jacksonville Jaguars won and the Indianapolis Colts lost, moving the Jags into the AFC South lead and the Colts down to the wild card race. Los Angeles has a better conference record than the Colts, so they move up to fifth. The Colts are sixth and the Bills stay in seventh.

The Denver Broncos won Sunday night to move into first place in the AFC, and the Chargers continue to look up to them.

The New England Patriots play on Monday night.

The Houston Texans are one game out while the Chiefs and Steelers sit two games back of the wild card teams.

AFC standings during Week 13

In the tie between the Broncos and Patriots, Denver is undefeated against the Jets, Raiders, Titans, and Bengals. The Patriots lost to the Raiders in Week 1 and that’s the difference.

1. Denver Broncos (10-2, record vs common opponents > NE)2. New England Patriots (10-2, record vs common opponents < DEN)3. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)4. Baltimore Ravens (6-6, record vs common opponents > PIT)5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4, 7-2 AFC) 6. Indianapolis Colts (8-4, 6-3)7. Buffalo Bills (8-4, 5-3 AFC)8. Houston Texans (7-5)9. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6, record vs common opponent < BAL, 5-3 AFC)10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6, 3-4 AFC)11. Miami Dolphins (5-7)12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)13. New York Jets (3-9)14. Cleveland Browns (3-9)15. e-Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)16. e-Tennessee Titans (1-11)

The Tennessee Titans were eliminated from playoff contention as were the Las Vegas Raiders.

AFC West standings during Week 13

The Kansas City Chiefs lost on Thanksgiving to fall further behind. The Broncos won late against the Commanders. The Chargers won in the division, toppling the Las Vegas Raiders.

Vegas was eliminated from the playoff picture in Week 13.

1. Denver Broncos (10-2)2. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)3. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)4. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)