three in order to turn that 87% chance into a 100% chance. Nine victories would likely be enough to fend off the Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins, the only three remaining teams with a chance to catch the Chargers or the Broncos.

The surest way into a better playoff seeding for the Chargers would be to defeat the Broncos, the Patriots and the Raiders. Beating the Broncos would give the Chargers the tiebreaker over Denver with a 2-0 record. It also would enhance their chances of moving up from seventh in the seedings.

If the playoffs began today, the No. 7 Chargers would face the No. 2 Buffalo Bills (11-3) in a wild-card matchup in Orchard Park, New York, where it’s likely to be cold, windy and snowy in mid-January. Moving to No. 6 would pair the Chargers with the No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4), and slightly better weather.

The Chargers lost to the Steelers 20-10 in Week 3 in Pittsburgh.

Jumping to No. 5 would create the most favorable matchup of them all for the Chargers, a date with the No. 4 Houston Texans (9-5). The Chargers would need to win all three of their remaining games in that scenario and hope for some help from opponents of the Broncos and Baltimore Ravens (9-5).

First things first, though.

The Chargers must respond in a positive way Thursday against the Broncos.

“I’m caught in that space of wanting to show in my actions and wanting to say stuff,” Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack said of preparing mentally and physically with his teammates for Thursday’s game. “I just want to hold up my end of the actions. (Ticked) off until the game comes and then that’s the way to get that taste out of my mouth. You’ve got to attack the week the same way as if you had the extra three days. Just looking forward to the opportunity to get this taste out of my mouth.”

EXTRA POINTS

The Chargers’ game against the Patriots in Week 17 was shifted to Dec. 28 at 10 a.m. (PT). … The Chargers opened the 21-day window for tight end Hayden Hurst to return to the active roster from injured reserve. He was sidelined by a hip injury and hasn’t played since Nov. 10. … Wide receiver Quentin Johnston was mistakenly listed on Monday’s injury report. Left guard Zion Johnson should have been listed on the report instead because of an injured ankle suffered Sunday against the Buccaneers.