The Los Angeles Chargers might have their AFC playoff seeding decided before Saturday night ends in Las Vegas.
Jim Harbaugh is keeping his plans for whether to play or rest his starters under wraps as usual.
“We’re taking it one day at a time. As (safety) Derwin (James) said, 11 wins sounds better than 10,” Harbaugh said on Monday.
The Chargers (10-6) could move up to the fifth seed and earn a trip to Houston for the wild-card round if Cincinnati defeats Pittsburgh on Saturday night.
If the Steelers win, the Chargers will be locked into the sixth seed and will face the AFC North champion, which would be Baltimore. If the Ravens beat the Browns on Saturday afternoon, it could set up a possible Harbaugh Bowl rematch. Baltimore opened as a 17 1/2 point favorite against Cleveland according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
Harbaugh and the Chargers are hoping for a Bengals win so that Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Raiders has meaning.
“We’re playing to move up,” Harbaugh said. “We’d love to be in the fifth seed. That gives you a chance to have a playoff game at home, even in the divisional round. That’s where things stand for us, the plan for us is to win. That’s been the mindset from the beginning.”
Even though the San Francisco 49ers had a playoff spot locked up in the final week of the regular season in 2011, 2012, and 2013, when Harbaugh was their coach, there was still something to play for.
In 2011, the Niners needed a win to secure a first-round bye. In 2012, they needed a victory over Arizona to win the NFC West. A year later, they needed to beat the Cardinals to stay in the running for the division title.
Chargers fans still remember two years ago when former coach Brandon Staley played his starters in the final game against Denver, even though the team was locked into the fifth seed. Wide receiver Mike Williams fractured his back late in the first half of a 31-28 loss to the Broncos.
Williams wasn’t available for the first-round playoff game at Jacksonville, which the Chargers lost 31-30 after blowing a 27-point lead.
Harbaugh, however, played the backups, including quarterback Taylor Heinicke, for most of the fourth quarter in last Saturday’s 40-7 win over New England.
Harbaugh didn’t say if Heinicke would get more playing time this week, with the possibility of him being used more.
One player who won’t be available is safety Elijah Molden, who broke his fibula during the second half of the Patriots game.
Molden, who was acquired from Tennessee on August 29, started three games and was second on the team with three interceptions.
Harbaugh mentioned that Alohi Gilman, who is on injured reserve, could start his return-to-play window this week. Gilman has started 10 games but has missed the past five due to a hamstring injury.
