As we zoom through the final third of the NFL season, the playoff picture is starting to become clear for the Chargers.

At this point, the important thing is to be in the conversation, exactly where the Bolts find themselves. Let’s take a look at what they’ll need to do and who to root for in the upcoming Week 12.

First of all, you hate to get too melodramatic with more than a month left in the season, but the Chargers (6-4) more or less saved their playoff chances by hanging on for an ugly 13-6 victory over the winless Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

A loss there and … well, we don’t even want to think about that.

Now they face the 4-6 St. Louis Rams at home on Sunday in another one of those win-or-you’re-in-trouble games. Its importance is heightened when you look at the rest of the schedule: Five games against teams with records of 6-4 or better, including both AFC West co-leaders in the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.

Looking at the Chargers’ place in the AFC standings, it’s a big ol’ mess in the hunt for the two wild card spots. Right now the Bolts are in eighth place, but tied in record with three other teams – Miami, Baltimore and Cleveland. The Dolphins lead the Chargers after beating them earlier this season, while the Chargers have the tiebreaker edge over the Ravens and Browns because of a better conference record.

The Chiefs (7-3) are alone in fifth place, but would take over the No. 2 seed if they pass the Broncos for the division lead. The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4) are alone in sixth place. Here is a look at the wild card standings:

5. Kansas City – 7-3

6. Pittsburgh – 7-4

7. Miami – 6-4

8. Chargers – 6-4

9. Baltimore – 6-4

10. Cleveland – 6-4

So, who should Bolts fans be rooting for this weekend? Here’s a breakdown of games affecting their postseason hopes.

First, the biggest game of the week is the Broncos hosting the Dolphins on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. Since we can’t root for both teams to lose, the best situation would be for a Miami win. In fact, just plan on rooting against the Broncos and Chiefs the rest of the season. But Bolts fans are used to that.

Speaking of, the Chiefs get the aforementioned winless Raiders on Thursday night. Yes, Oakland is 0-10, but they’ve been competitive in a number of games – including both contests with the Chargers. The game is in Oakland, where it’s never easy to play. Don’t hold your breath on a Kansas City loss, but crazier things have happened.

In other important games, the Browns play on the road at the Atlanta Falcons at 10 a.m. while the Ravens head to New Orleans to play the Saints on Monday night. Bolts fans will be rooting hard for the NFC teams in those games.

The Steelers have their bye this week.