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.
These 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:
AFC:
Wildcard Round:
NFC:
Wildcard Round:
Now onto the individual matchups for Week 13:
Thursday, Nov. 27:
Green Bay Packers (7-4-1) at Detroit Lions (7-4)
This game has no impact on the Chargers as it is an all-NFC matchup.
Preferred Winner: Toss Up.
Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) at Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1)
Following a 23-20 comeback win last week against the Colts, the Chiefs are now breathing heavily down the necks of the Chargers for second place in the division, just one loss behind Los Angeles. With the two teams meeting in GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 14, Chargers fans will be cheering on the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.
Preferred winner: Cowboys
Cincinnati Bengals (3-8) at Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
With Baltimore and Pittsburgh battling for the lead in the AFC East, this matchup will be an interesting choice for Chargers fans. Not necessarily for who to root for, but to watch as the chaotic AFC East drama unfolds.
Chargers fans will want Cincinnati to win here.
Preferred Winner: Bengals.
Friday, Nov. 28:
Chicago Bears (8-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)
While this is an all-NFC matchup that does not directly impact the Chargers, fans will still want to root for the Bears as Philadelphia is Los Angeles’ Week 14 foe.
Preferred winner: Bears
Sunday, Nov. 30:
San Francisco 49ers (8-4) at Cleveland Browns (3-8)
Another NFC clash with no impact on the Chargers. However, this is the game many NFL Sickos will keep an eye on as a potentially entertaining matchup.
Can Shedeur Sanders deliver against the team his father once played for? Will the elements become a factor?
Preferred winner: Toss-up, but Cleveland winning would be funny.
Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4) at Tennessee Titans (1-10)
Unfortunately, Chargers fans will somehow need to hope for a hilarious, but improbable win by the dumpster fire Titans.
Will the Titans win? Probably not.
Would it be hilarious and on par with the Jaguars’ franchise throughout its existence? YES!
Preferred winner: Titans for the laughs (Please!).
Houston Texans (6-5) at Indianapolis Colts (8-3)
With Houston not too far away record-wise and with an upcoming matchup against the Chargers on Dec. 27, fans will want Indianapolis to win this game.
Preferred winner: Colts
New Orleans Saints (2-9) at Miami Dolphins (4-8)
While this is an AFC clash, neither team is expected to be any threat to the Chargers’ playoff hopes, barring an unexpected surge by the Dolphins and a catastrophic collapse by LA.
Preferred winner: Saints (to keep the potential nightmare scenario out of reach).
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)
Preferred 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)
NFC matchup with no impact on the Chargers.
Preferred winner: Toss-up
Buffalo Bills (7-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
Ideally, Chargers fans want to see Pittsburgh win to further weaken the Bills, hoping to possibly pass them.
Preferred winner: Steelers
Denver Broncos (9-2) at Washington Commanders (3-8)
There is a clear outcome Chargers fans want from this matchup: a Broncos loss.
Preferred winner: Commanders
Monday, Dec. 1:
New York Giants (2-10) at New England Patriots (10-2)
While this looks like a Patriots blowout by way of the record comparison, it could potentially be an exciting matchup if Jaxson Dart can stay healthy and connect with his receivers.
Ideally, Chargers fans will want a Giants win.
Will it happen? Maybe?
Preferred Winner: Giants
After listing all the matchups, it is now up to you to decide who to root for on Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday while the Chargers look to conquer their final six games of the 2025-26 regular season.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Los Angeles Chargers’ NFL rooting guide for Week 13
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
