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NFL scores, live updates: Chargers open up Week 17 Saturday slate with win over Patriots to clinch playoff spot

The Los Angeles Chargers clinched a playoff spot on Saturday with a dominant 40-7 win over the New England Patriots in a rainy Foxboro. Six of the seven AFC playoff spots are now secure with the final place in the postseason up for grabs.

Saturday's second game has some playoff implications in the AFC as the 9-6 Denver Broncos head to Cincinnati to take on the 7-8 Bengals. Denver can wrap up a playoff berth with a win over the Bengals, who need a win to stay alive in the postseason hunt. The Bengals have won three in a row to stay in it behind one of the league's most explosive offenses — Joe Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards and is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes — while Denver had its four-game win streak end last week against the Chargers.