Week 18 is a big one for the Los Angeles Chargers. They are riding a four-game winning streak, which has catapulted them up the standings in the AFC. Their first playoff appearance since the 2018 season was clinched a few weeks ago and now they are looking to cement their seed.
Everyone in the AFC Wild Card race has their eyes set on the No. 5 seed because that team will match up with the AFC South divisional winner during Super Wild Card Weekend. Avoiding the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals or Kansas City Chiefs that weekend is likely every non-division winner’s goal.
Because of the recent struggles that the Baltimore Ravens have been experiencing, Los Angeles is in the driver’s seat for the No. 5 seed. If they can defeat the Denver Broncos, that spot will be theirs.
A lot of the team’s success this season has been courtesy of the team’s offense. Justin Herbert has put together another strong season despite some hurdles to overcome. The team has had a ton of injuries on that side of the ball but players have stepped up when called upon.
One of those players has been tight end Gerald Everett. Everett is in his first season with the Chargers and is having a career season. He has caught 55 passes for 547 yards and three touchdowns. He is one of the players happy that the starters are going to see their full allotment of playing time as he could earn a nice sum of money with a good performance.
Everett needs only five more receptions against the Broncos to cash in on a $250,000 bonus. He has caught at least five passes in seven games this season and has been targeted that many times in eight games. He couldn’t have gotten much better of a matchup as the Broncos have given up the third most receptions this season to tight ends.
In addition to Everett, DeAndre Carter is also getting close to an incentive bonus. Carter stepped up big time throughout the season when Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer all missed time to various injuries.
He is the only wide receiver that has appeared in all 16 games thus far this season and has had a career season as a result. Carter has caught 43 passes for 495 yards and three touchdowns. If he can get two more receptions, he will earn a $250,000 bonus.
Carter has seen his participation in the offense lessen in recent weeks as the team has gotten healthier. However, the Chargers’ coaching staff is aware of his incentive bonus and it sounds like they will do what they can to ensure that he reaches it. Carter had at least two receptions in each of the first 11 games this season but has multiple games in a game only once in the last five, which came last week against the Los Angeles Rams.
