Could Chargers, Raiders play for tie if Colts lose to Jags?

Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (97) pressures Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4). Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Could Chargers, Raiders play for tie if Colts lose to Jaguars?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 1/3/22

The Indianapolis Colts know that they will be in the upcoming playoffs via a Week 18 win at the Jacksonville Jaguars. As Myles Simmons noted for Pro Football Talk, Indianapolis hasn't won in Jacksonville since 2014, so those assuming the 9-7 Colts will run the 2-14 Jaguars out of the stadium may want to pump the figurative brakes.

Like Indianapolis, the Los Angeles Chargers know they can guarantee their spot in the playoffs via a victory at the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday night. However, Pro Football Network's Adam Beasley tweeted that the Chargers and Raiders may want to help each other out if the Colts surprisingly fall to the lowly Jaguars earlier on the second Sunday of 2022:

Here's something totally bonkers: If the Colts lose to the Jaguars Sunday, the Raiders and Chargers would both get in with a tie. Literally, there would be no motivation for either team to do anything other than kneel it out 15 times each.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) January 3, 2022

Per Matthew VanTryon of the Indianapolis Star, Colts fans should find themselves rooting for the Raiders to beat the Chargers if Indianapolis loses to Jacksonville as it pertains to potential postseason scenarios. While it's unlikely the Raiders and Chargers would seriously agree to play for a draw if such a result would benefit both, this potentially wacky situation serves as a reminder that maybe all Week 18 matchups that have playoff implications should start at the same time.

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