Welcome back to the AFC Playoff Picture, a weekly look at where the Chargers stand in playoff chase. The Bolts currently sit at 5-3 and are firmly in the playoff field at the halfway point of the 2025 season. Here's the look at the AFC playoff picture — with standings, current playoff odds and a status update — as we head into Week 9.

The New York Jets likely took the Cincinnati Bengals out of the AFC North hunt with their upset win. The Dallas Cowboys' playoff chances took a massive hit with their loss to the Denver Broncos, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be cruising toward their fifth straight NFC South title.

With a few results still pending in Week 8, here's how the AFC playoff field currently looks: New England Patriots: 6-2 Los Angeles Chargers: 5-3 Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-3 With six losses already on their ledger, the Dolphins still have a lot of work to do before the postseason becomes even a faint possibility.

The Jaguars may have to come to terms with their worst AFC South fear based on the results of Week 8. While the Jaguars have a bye week, the Colts are taking on the Titans in what should be a blowout victory. And if the expected happens, the Jaguars will be 2.5 games out of first-place in the AFC South before they play another down.

In the Wild Card race, the Bills remain in the top spot despite two-straight losses. The Chiefs, Broncos and Jaguars are all at 4-3, but the Jaguars and Chargers are above the Chiefs due to three-way tiebreak, as Kansas City lost to both those teams already.

It's Halloween, so let's take a look at the teams who should be scared about what awaits them on the second half of their schedule

“Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ran the scout team on Friday, an indication that the two-time MVP is a week away from returning despite a full practice,” Rapoport tweeted. “Tyler ‘Snoop’ Huntley, recently signed off the practice squad, would start vs. the Bears if Jackson can’t go.”

Indianapolis (6-1) has the best record in the AFC but have yet to play the Texans or Jaguars in the AFC South. The Texans still play the Colts twice — Nov. 30 at Indianapolis and the last week of the season in Houston on either Jan. 3 or 4.