As Los Angeles emerges from their Week 12 bye, here is who Chargers fans should be rooting for in this week's slate of NFL action.
While the Chargers (7-4) have their own business to take care of against the Raiders (2-9) on Sunday, Nov. 28, from SoFi Stadium, the outcomes of many matchups this week could significantly impact Los Angeles' playoff outlook.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThese matchups listed below obviously omit the Chargers-Raiders game because we're all rooting for Los Angeles, as a given.
As a refresher, here are the current NFL Playoffs matchups entering Week 13:
Nov 30, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesAFC:
No. 1 seed and first-round bye: New England Patriots (11-2)
No. 7 seed Buffalo Bills (8-4) at No. 2 seed Denver Broncos (10-2)
No. 6 seed Indianapolis Colts (8-4) at No. 3 seed Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) at No. 4 Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
NFC:
No. 1 seed and first-round bye: Chicago Bears (9-3)
No. 7 seed San Francisco 49ers (9-4) at No. 2 seed Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
No. 6 seed Green Bay Packers (8-4-1) at No. 3 seed Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
No. 5 Seattle Seahawks (9-3) at No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
Now onto the individual matchups for Week 14:
Thursday, Dec. 4:
Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) at Detroit Lions (7-5)
This game has no impact on the Chargers as it is an all-NFC matchup. However, with Dallas looking hot offensively and the Cowboys' Dec. 21 matchup in Texas looming, Chargers fans will prefer the Lions in this contest.
Preferred Winner: Lions
Sunday, Dec. 8:
Miami Dolphins (5-7) at New York Jets (3-9)
TANK BOWL!
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile this is an AFC matchup, both franchises are going nowhere near the playoffs, and this should not impact the Chargers.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) at Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
With Baltimore and Pittsburgh battling for the lead in the AFC East and the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff picture, this matchup will be an interesting choice for Chargers fans.
If the Chargers wind up with the No. 6 seed, would you rather play Pittsburgh or Baltimore?
In my honest opinion, I believe Pittsburgh would be an easier opponent to beat in a playoff matchup, so root for the Black and Gold.
Preferred Winner: Toss-up (I'd say Steelers).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNew Orleans Saints (2-10) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
It's an all-NFC matchup that has no impact on the Chargers.
If you're an NFL Sicko and like chaos, a Saints win would be hilarious.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Indianapolis Colts (8-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
This contest is intriguing for Chargers fans because no result in this matchup benefits Los Angeles.
Preferred winner: Toss-up (a tie would be very funny)
Cleveland Browns (3-10) at Tennessee Titans (1-11)
TANK BOWL: PART II
Both of these franchises are absolutely horrendous.
On one side, you have the Cleveland Browns and their endless quest for a marquee quarterback. Meanwhile, on the other end is the NFL punching bag known as the Tennessee Titans.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor both teams, the goal is not to win but to lose to secure a higher draft position.
Preferred winner: Toss-up.
Washington Commanders (3-9) at Minnesota Vikings (4-8)
NFC matchup with no impact on the Chargers.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Seattle Seahawks (9-3) at Atlanta Falcons (4-8)
NFC matchup with no impact on the Chargers.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Atlanta Falcons (4-7) at New York Jets (2-9)
While the Falcons and Jets are both AFC foes, this matchup is a battle featuring one horrendously overplayed quarterback (Kirk Cousins) against a downright horrendously incompetent quarterback duo (Justin Fields/Tyrod Taylor)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPreferred winner: Toss-up
Los Angeles Rams (9-2) at Carolina Panthers (6-6)
NFC matchup with no impact on the Chargers.
If you have LA pride, then feel free to root for the Rams.
Preferred winner: Rams
Arizona Cardinals (3-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)
NFC matchup with no impact on the Chargers.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Minnesota Vikings (4-7) vs. Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
TANK BOWL: PART III?
NFC matchup with no impact on the Chargers.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) at Buffalo Bills (8-4)
Chargers fans will want to root for the Bengals in this matchup, as a Cincinnati victory would keep Buffalo one game behind the Bolts.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPreferred winner: Bengals
Denver Broncos (10-2) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)
There is a clear outcome Chargers fans want from this matchup: a Broncos loss.
Unfortunately, Denver is playing Las Vegas, who are playing for absolutely nothing since the Bolts eliminated them from NFL Playoff contention last week.
Preferred winner: Raiders (PLEASE! It would be SO FUNNY!)
Chicago Bears (9-3) at Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
NFC matchup with no impact on the Chargers.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Los Angeles Rams (9-3) at Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
NFC matchup with no impact on the Chargers.
Once again, cheer for the Rams if you have LA pride.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPreferred winner: Toss-up
Houston Texans (7-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
Although both teams are on the Chargers' upcoming schedule, Bolts fans would much rather see another Chiefs loss to dispel any dark-voodoo magic that might be lingering in Kansas City.
Preferred winner: Texans
After listing all the matchups, it is now up to you to decide who to root for on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday while the Chargers look to conquer their final five games of the 2025-26 regular season.
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Los Angeles Chargers' NFL rooting guide for Week 14
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