NFL Week 14 Recap
The NFL wrapped up Week 14 with an exciting interconference matchup on Monday night. The Los Angeles Chargers pulled off a win against the Philadelphia Eagles, edging them out in overtime with a score of 22-19. The game was somewhat messy, showcasing a total of eight turnovers between both teams. It was perhaps fitting that the game concluded with a Jalen Hurts interception; he threw four picks in the game, marking the first time in NFL history that a player has had two turnovers on the same play. With this victory, the Chargers moved to 9-4, while the Eagles fell to 8-5.
Los Angeles Chargers Playoff Picture
The Chargers currently hold second place in the AFC West but have climbed to fifth in the overall standings. Interestingly, their playoff chances have spiked to 80%, according to playoff simulations, which is a notable bump from 67% before this win.
While the Chargers are still in contention for their division title, they need the Broncos to falter. They are currently three games behind Denver with just four games left in the regular season. The two teams are scheduled to play in Week 18, but that game will only matter in the division race if Denver loses at least two more games before then.
Next week, the Chargers will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs on the road, while the Broncos will host the Green Bay Packers.
In the wild-card standings, the Chargers are tied with the Bills, but they have the advantage based on conference record. They haven’t played each other this season yet, so if it comes down to a tie, the conference record will be the decider. For now, LA has that one-game lead in the tiebreaker, while the Bills will be on the road facing the Patriots next week.
Philadelphia Eagles Playoff Picture
Despite the loss, the Eagles remain at the top of the NFC East standings and are third overall in the NFC. Their playoff chances stand at a strong 93%, a slight dip from 96% before the game, according to playoff simulations.
While Philadelphia leads the division, the door is still slightly ajar for the Cowboys. Dallas has a lot to overcome to claim the division title, but the Eagles’ defeat in Los Angeles certainly aids their cause. Next week, the Eagles will host the Raiders while the Cowboys take on the Vikings. Both teams from the NFC East are favored in their respective matchups.
The Eagles still trail the Rams and Packers in the standings, yet they hold the advantage in tiebreakers having beaten both teams earlier in the season. The Packers currently have a tied record, which makes the likelihood of a tie feel a bit remote. Next week, the Rams will host the Lions while the Packers are set to play the Broncos.
