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Why Chargers Need a Win Over Eagles to Stay Alive in AFC Wild Card Race | Deadspin.com

Why Chargers Need a Win Over Eagles to Stay Alive in AFC Wild Card Race | Deadspin.com

A major opportunity is staring the Los Angeles Chargers in the face on Monday night.

The Chargers can take a big step in the AFC playoff picture by beating the visiting Philadelphia Eagles on the primetime stage.

But lose to the defending Super Bowl champions and the Chargers are going to find themselves in a battle to claim one of the conference’s three wild-card berths.

Los Angeles (8-4) is three victories behind the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos (11-2) so the division race is a one-horse Mile High trot. The focus for the Chargers is earning a wild card.

After the game against the Eagles, the Chargers have back-to-back road games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys as part of three away contests in four weeks to close the regular season.

The visit to Kansas City will come on a short week due to the Monday game and also includes travel to the Midwest after the Chiefs played at home on Sunday. Not to mention that Kansas City (6-7) knows it can’t lose another game if it wants its playoff aspirations to have legitimate life.

Beating the Eagles would be a big deal for the Chargers as it would give them the same record as the Buffalo Bills (9-4) and place them one game ahead of the charging Houston Texans and the embattled Indianapolis Colts.

The Baltimore Ravens (6-7) could make a run but their best bet is overtaking the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) – who they lost to on Sunday – in the AFC North race.

You can see that getting win No. 9 on Monday would be huge for the Chargers.

The health of quarterback Justin Herbert also will be key against the Eagles.

Herbert has a broken bone in his left (non-throwing) hand and underwent surgery last Monday afternoon. He had a plate and multiple screws inserted into the hand. He was a limited practice participant all week as the Chargers did all they could to keep him away from contact.

Most of the snaps on Monday will undoubtedly come out of the shotgun formation and Herbert has definitely taken a whatever-it-takes outlook.

“I’m doing everything I can to be out there,” Herbert said. “I’d fight through anything for those guys. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to be realistic and listen to the doctors, because they know best. We’ll see how it goes.”

Herbert has passed for 2,842 yards and 21 touchdowns against 10 interceptions and is firmly established among the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL.

At age 27, Herbert already has thrown 158 career touchdown passes. Only John Hadl (201), Hall of Famer Dan Fouts (254) and leader Philip Rivers (397) have accumulated more for the franchise.

But we are reaching the point where Herbert needs to lead some playoff runs. He’s in his sixth season and has never won a playoff game. And right now, the sudden decline of the Chiefs is opening the door for other AFC teams.

It also doesn’t hurt that the Broncos and New England Patriots are the surprise top two teams in the conference through Week 14.

The Chargers haven’t won a single playoff game since the 2018 season. That’s so long ago that Rivers, Antonio Gates and Melvin Gordon played for the club.

And who can forget that humiliating collapse in Jacksonville when Herbert and the 2022 edition of the franchise blew a 27-point lead and lost 31-30 on a Jaguars field goal as time expired?

And last season? Herbert threw four interceptions during a one-sided 32-12 playoff loss to the Texans.

So if the Chargers are going to be a serious contender for, say, an AFC Championship Game appearance, they need to beat the Eagles. The late-season run unofficially begins Monday.

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#Chargers #Win #Eagles #Stay #Alive #AFC #Wild #Card #Race #Deadspin.com

On Thursday night, Mexico became the first team to clinch a spot in the knockout round at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On Saturday, there is a chance for a team in Group E to join them.

Entering Saturday’s two group stage matches, both Germany and the Ivory Coast have a chance to book a spot in the Round of 32. And, as the scheduling gods would have it, those two sides will meet in Toronto Saturday afternoon.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Group E.

Update: Deniz Undav’s goal in stoppage time for Germany broke a 1-1 tie against the Ivory Coast, and booked a spot in the Round of 32 with Germany’s 2-1 win. Germany will win Group E if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao later tonight.

Update (Saturday night): With the draw between Ecuador and Curaçao, Germany has won Group E. Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curaçao can all still advance.

What are the Group E standings?

Here are the current standings in Group E after Ivory Coast-Germany:

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

Germany20092+76
Ivory Coast1012203
Ecuador01101-11
Curaçao01117-61

What are the next Group E matches?

Four matches remain in Group E, starting with a pair on Saturday, June 20. All times listed are Eastern.

Germany 2, Ivory Coast 1
Ecuador 0, Curaçao 0

Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m.
Ecuador vs. Germany, 4:00 p.m.

What are the current scenarios for Group E?

Here is what you need to know entering the matches on Saturday, June 20, starting with the tilt between Germany and the Ivory Coast.

Germany can book a spot in the Round of 32 with a win, and could win the group with a win and some help. If Germany beats the Ivory Coast, they will book a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group.

However, if they win, they will clinch the group if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao. More on this when we discuss the tiebreaker scenarios. The winner of Group E will play a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F in the Round of 32.

The Ivory Coast has a similar path to winning the group on Saturday. If they win on Saturday, they are into the Round of 32 as they are guaranteed to finish in the top two of the group. If they beat Germany, then they will clinch Group E and take on a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F provided Curaçao does not beat Ecuador.

On the other side of the coin, Curaçao can be eliminated on Saturday with a loss to Ecuador, and an Ivory Coast win or draw against Germany.

Ecuador also faces elimination on Saturday. If they lose to Curaçao, and Germany wins or draws against the Ivory Coast, then Ecuador is eliminated.

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group E, starting on Saturday, June 20.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

That brings us to the scenarios entering play on June 20, and we will use Germany as the first example. As noted above, Germany clinches Group E with a win against the Ivory Coast, provided Ecuador does not beat Curaçao. With a win against the Ivory Coast, Germany would move to six points in Group E play.

But if Ecuador beats Curaçao, they would have three points, and since Germany and Ecuador play in the final match of Group E play, under these tiebreakers Ecuador could still win the group. In this scenario, if Ecuador goes on to beat Germany, both teams would have six points in group play, but Ecuador would have the “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned,” and would win the group. But if Ecuador loses or ties against Curaçao, then this tiebreaker cannot come into play.

This is also why the Ivory Coast needs a win, plus a Curaçao loss or tie, to clinch Group E.

#World #Cup #Germany #clinched #Group #scenarios #remain">World Cup 2026: How Germany clinched Group E and what scenarios remain  On Thursday night, Mexico became the first team to clinch a spot in the knockout round at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.On Saturday, there is a chance for a team in Group E to join them.Entering Saturday’s two group stage matches, both Germany and the Ivory Coast have a chance to book a spot in the Round of 32. And, as the scheduling gods would have it, those two sides will meet in Toronto Saturday afternoon.Here are the clinching scenarios for Group E.Update: Deniz Undav’s goal in stoppage time for Germany broke a 1-1 tie against the Ivory Coast, and booked a spot in the Round of 32 with Germany’s 2-1 win. Germany will win Group E if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao later tonight.Update (Saturday night): With the draw between Ecuador and Curaçao, Germany has won Group E. Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curaçao can all still advance.What are the Group E standings?Here are the current standings in Group E after Ivory Coast-Germany:TeamWDLGFGAGDPointsGermany20092+76Ivory Coast1012203Ecuador01101-11Curaçao01117-61What are the next Group E matches?Four matches remain in Group E, starting with a pair on Saturday, June 20. All times listed are Eastern.Germany 2, Ivory Coast 1Ecuador 0, Curaçao 0Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m.Ecuador vs. Germany, 4:00 p.m.What are the current scenarios for Group E?Here is what you need to know entering the matches on Saturday, June 20, starting with the tilt between Germany and the Ivory Coast.Germany can book a spot in the Round of 32 with a win, and could win the group with a win and some help. If Germany beats the Ivory Coast, they will book a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group.However, if they win, they will clinch the group if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao. More on this when we discuss the tiebreaker scenarios. The winner of Group E will play a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F in the Round of 32.The Ivory Coast has a similar path to winning the group on Saturday. If they win on Saturday, they are into the Round of 32 as they are guaranteed to finish in the top two of the group. If they beat Germany, then they will clinch Group E and take on a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F provided Curaçao does not beat Ecuador.On the other side of the coin, Curaçao can be eliminated on Saturday with a loss to Ecuador, and an Ivory Coast win or draw against Germany.Ecuador also faces elimination on Saturday. If they lose to Curaçao, and Germany wins or draws against the Ivory Coast, then Ecuador is eliminated.Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group E, starting on Saturday, June 20.Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.That brings us to the scenarios entering play on June 20, and we will use Germany as the first example. As noted above, Germany clinches Group E with a win against the Ivory Coast, provided Ecuador does not beat Curaçao. With a win against the Ivory Coast, Germany would move to six points in Group E play.But if Ecuador beats Curaçao, they would have three points, and since Germany and Ecuador play in the final match of Group E play, under these tiebreakers Ecuador could still win the group. In this scenario, if Ecuador goes on to beat Germany, both teams would have six points in group play, but Ecuador would have the “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned,” and would win the group. But if Ecuador loses or ties against Curaçao, then this tiebreaker cannot come into play.This is also why the Ivory Coast needs a win, plus a Curaçao loss or tie, to clinch Group E.  #World #Cup #Germany #clinched #Group #scenarios #remain

first team to clinch a spot in the knockout round at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On Saturday, there is a chance for a team in Group E to join them.

Entering Saturday’s two group stage matches, both Germany and the Ivory Coast have a chance to book a spot in the Round of 32. And, as the scheduling gods would have it, those two sides will meet in Toronto Saturday afternoon.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Group E.

Update: Deniz Undav’s goal in stoppage time for Germany broke a 1-1 tie against the Ivory Coast, and booked a spot in the Round of 32 with Germany’s 2-1 win. Germany will win Group E if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao later tonight.

Update (Saturday night): With the draw between Ecuador and Curaçao, Germany has won Group E. Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curaçao can all still advance.

What are the Group E standings?

Here are the current standings in Group E after Ivory Coast-Germany:

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

Germany20092+76
Ivory Coast1012203
Ecuador01101-11
Curaçao01117-61

What are the next Group E matches?

Four matches remain in Group E, starting with a pair on Saturday, June 20. All times listed are Eastern.

Germany 2, Ivory Coast 1
Ecuador 0, Curaçao 0

Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m.
Ecuador vs. Germany, 4:00 p.m.

What are the current scenarios for Group E?

Here is what you need to know entering the matches on Saturday, June 20, starting with the tilt between Germany and the Ivory Coast.

Germany can book a spot in the Round of 32 with a win, and could win the group with a win and some help. If Germany beats the Ivory Coast, they will book a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group.

However, if they win, they will clinch the group if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao. More on this when we discuss the tiebreaker scenarios. The winner of Group E will play a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F in the Round of 32.

The Ivory Coast has a similar path to winning the group on Saturday. If they win on Saturday, they are into the Round of 32 as they are guaranteed to finish in the top two of the group. If they beat Germany, then they will clinch Group E and take on a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F provided Curaçao does not beat Ecuador.

On the other side of the coin, Curaçao can be eliminated on Saturday with a loss to Ecuador, and an Ivory Coast win or draw against Germany.

Ecuador also faces elimination on Saturday. If they lose to Curaçao, and Germany wins or draws against the Ivory Coast, then Ecuador is eliminated.

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group E, starting on Saturday, June 20.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

That brings us to the scenarios entering play on June 20, and we will use Germany as the first example. As noted above, Germany clinches Group E with a win against the Ivory Coast, provided Ecuador does not beat Curaçao. With a win against the Ivory Coast, Germany would move to six points in Group E play.

But if Ecuador beats Curaçao, they would have three points, and since Germany and Ecuador play in the final match of Group E play, under these tiebreakers Ecuador could still win the group. In this scenario, if Ecuador goes on to beat Germany, both teams would have six points in group play, but Ecuador would have the “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned,” and would win the group. But if Ecuador loses or ties against Curaçao, then this tiebreaker cannot come into play.

This is also why the Ivory Coast needs a win, plus a Curaçao loss or tie, to clinch Group E.

#World #Cup #Germany #clinched #Group #scenarios #remain">World Cup 2026: How Germany clinched Group E and what scenarios remain

On Thursday night, Mexico became the first team to clinch a spot in the knockout round at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On Saturday, there is a chance for a team in Group E to join them.

Entering Saturday’s two group stage matches, both Germany and the Ivory Coast have a chance to book a spot in the Round of 32. And, as the scheduling gods would have it, those two sides will meet in Toronto Saturday afternoon.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Group E.

Update: Deniz Undav’s goal in stoppage time for Germany broke a 1-1 tie against the Ivory Coast, and booked a spot in the Round of 32 with Germany’s 2-1 win. Germany will win Group E if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao later tonight.

Update (Saturday night): With the draw between Ecuador and Curaçao, Germany has won Group E. Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curaçao can all still advance.

What are the Group E standings?

Here are the current standings in Group E after Ivory Coast-Germany:

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

Germany20092+76
Ivory Coast1012203
Ecuador01101-11
Curaçao01117-61

What are the next Group E matches?

Four matches remain in Group E, starting with a pair on Saturday, June 20. All times listed are Eastern.

Germany 2, Ivory Coast 1
Ecuador 0, Curaçao 0

Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m.
Ecuador vs. Germany, 4:00 p.m.

What are the current scenarios for Group E?

Here is what you need to know entering the matches on Saturday, June 20, starting with the tilt between Germany and the Ivory Coast.

Germany can book a spot in the Round of 32 with a win, and could win the group with a win and some help. If Germany beats the Ivory Coast, they will book a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group.

However, if they win, they will clinch the group if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao. More on this when we discuss the tiebreaker scenarios. The winner of Group E will play a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F in the Round of 32.

The Ivory Coast has a similar path to winning the group on Saturday. If they win on Saturday, they are into the Round of 32 as they are guaranteed to finish in the top two of the group. If they beat Germany, then they will clinch Group E and take on a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F provided Curaçao does not beat Ecuador.

On the other side of the coin, Curaçao can be eliminated on Saturday with a loss to Ecuador, and an Ivory Coast win or draw against Germany.

Ecuador also faces elimination on Saturday. If they lose to Curaçao, and Germany wins or draws against the Ivory Coast, then Ecuador is eliminated.

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group E, starting on Saturday, June 20.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

That brings us to the scenarios entering play on June 20, and we will use Germany as the first example. As noted above, Germany clinches Group E with a win against the Ivory Coast, provided Ecuador does not beat Curaçao. With a win against the Ivory Coast, Germany would move to six points in Group E play.

But if Ecuador beats Curaçao, they would have three points, and since Germany and Ecuador play in the final match of Group E play, under these tiebreakers Ecuador could still win the group. In this scenario, if Ecuador goes on to beat Germany, both teams would have six points in group play, but Ecuador would have the “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned,” and would win the group. But if Ecuador loses or ties against Curaçao, then this tiebreaker cannot come into play.

This is also why the Ivory Coast needs a win, plus a Curaçao loss or tie, to clinch Group E.

#World #Cup #Germany #clinched #Group #scenarios #remain

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