Despite a strong defensive effort, the Chargers lose to the Denver Broncos in their regular-season finale, setting up a wild card weekend showdown with the Patriots.

Despite its stellar record, Denver is only 6-9-1 against the spread. Los Angeles is 8-7-1 ATS but had four straight covers before losing to the Texans at home in Week 17. The Chargers are 6-9-1 to the Over while the Broncos are 7-9 to the Over.

What has been in doubt is how the Broncos' postseason will shake out, but with a win against the Los Angeles Chargers in the last game of the season, there is no more uncertainty on what the Broncos' playoff path will look like.

The Denver Broncos have won the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC for the first time since 2015. That happens to be the last year the Broncos won the Super Bowl.

Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers final score, results, analysis, stats from NFL Week 18 of 2025 regular season.

Denver Broncos offensive lineman Garrett Bolles is dealing with an injury in the first half of the Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

On Sunday, the Broncos defeated the Justin Herbert-less Los Angeles Chargers 19-3, clinching the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC. It was far from a pretty performance all around, but the Broncos got it done. "To be able to host the Divisional Round is significant," Payton said post-game. "Yeah, we've got to clean some things up, and we will."