An X-factor before the Broncos and Chargers kick off on Sunday afternoon is the outcome of the Ravens at Bengals game earlier that day.

The Chargers, who have already clinched a playoff spot, hold the No. 5 seed in the AFC bracket heading into the final week. If Cincinnati beats Baltimore (11 a.m. MT kick), that would clinch that No. 5 seed for L.A. and give the Chargers nothing to play for.

Chargers coach Brandon Staley indicated the result of that Ravens game would affect his lineup. If the Ravens lose, it’s likely that a majority of Los Angeles starters would play very little, or not at all.

If that’s the case, the odds would swing heavily in favor of the Broncos, who won’t be sitting any healthy starters and are looking to make a point that Russell Wilson and the offense have finally found some footing late in a lost season.

Denver interim head coach Jerry Rosburg said the team’s mentality and game plan will stay the same whether the Broncos are facing Los Angeles’ No. 1s, or the reserves.

“We’re expecting Sonny Liston out there,” Rosburg quipped. “If Joe Palooka shows up, so be it.”