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Playoff picture: If Chargers win, they’re in

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Same stakes, different year.

Only the Chiefs separate the Chargers from a postseason berth.

San Diego clinched a playoff spot last year against Kansas City in the regular-season finale at Qualcomm Stadium. This Sunday, the team can do the same, needing a final-week win at Arrowhead Stadium to earn a wild-card spot for a consecutive year. Win and it’s in. Lose, and season’s over.

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After a 38-35 overtime win Saturday over the 49ers, this is the best-case scenario for the Chargers.

They have the Houston Texans to thank for it.

The Chargers began Sunday a half-game behind the Ravens and Steelers in the race for two AFC wild-card spots. The Texans beat the Ravens handily, Mission Bay High grad Arian Foster throwing for a touchdown in the 25-13 result. It evened the Ravens’ season record with the Chargers at 9-6. Because San Diego defeated Baltimore on Nov. 30, it carries the head-to-head tiebreaker between the two teams.

If the season ended today, San Diego would make the playoffs as the AFC’s sixth seed.

As long as it wins next week at Arrowhead, a postseason berth is guaranteed. No scenarios exist in which the Chargers can make the playoffs after a loss to Kansas City, so while the playoffs do not formally begun until January, they essentially begin this weekend. If it was to tie, San Diego could make the playoffs with either a Bengals loss in Week 17 or a Ravens loss or tie.

This season finale is unlike last year’s in one regard.

For the Chiefs, something is on the line.

They benched nearly all of their starters in 2013, having already secured a playoff spot. Those reserves gave the Chargers about all they could handle before succumbing 27-24 in overtime. This time, Kansas City theoretically could make the playoffs with a win; however, the Browns and Jaguars also must beat the Ravens and Texans, respectively.

The Chiefs have lost four of their past five games.

Sunday’s kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT. The NFL could’ve flexed it to later in the day, but it preferred the time as is.

Chargers v. 49ers 12/20/2014

  • San Diego 38, San Francisco 35
  • Levi’s Stadium
  • Headlines

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