Tag: Chargers playoffs

How far will the Chargers go in the playoffs?

Can the Los Angeles Chargers make some serious noise in the playoffs?

The Chargers are heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Despite facing a multitude of injuries throughout the season, L.A. overcame them by having a robot under center, Brandon Staley turning the defense around in the final quarter of the season, and the special teams being special all year.

Los Angeles got Joey Bosa back last week, and the only missing piece that could potentially be back for the postseason is Rashawn Slater, the young sensational left tackle.

This offense is as good as it’s been all the season, and the defense has been red hot. Couple that with having most of their key players back, and this team could make some serious noise.

What happens if Los Angeles gets the fifth seed and plays the AFC South winner between the Jaguars and Titans? Will they win? After that, a second win? A conference championship? Their first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history?

Vote in the poll below.

[crowdsignal poll=11279059]

Chargers WR Keenan Allen making big impact since his return

Chargers WR Keenan Allen’s performances continue to get stronger by the week.

Since the Chargers have been riddled with injuries from the start of the season, several key players have been missed, including wide receiver Keenan Allen who is an essential piece of the offense.

Allen was absent for most of the first half of the season due to a hamstring injury. But since his return, he’s made his presence felt, and his performances continue to get stronger by the week.

On Monday night, Chargers fans saw a classic performance from Allen, where he had 11 catches for 104 yards against the Colts. This was his first 100-yard performance of the season.

“I liked how we were able to locate Keenan today with 11 receptions,” Staley said at his post-game press conference on Monday.

Through the last four games, he’s racked up 37 catches for 370 yards and a touchdown. He’s averaging 12.8 targets, 9.3 receptions and 92.5 receiving yards since Week 13.

Although Allen missed a portion of the season, it seems as though the veteran is getting hot at the right time. He will be an integral piece in an offense that needs to get rolling in these final two games ahead of the playoffs.

Chargers battle adversity to clinch playoff berth

The Chargers clinched the playoffs, despite a multitude of injuries throughout the season.

Resilience and adversity are two things the Chargers are very familiar with.

At the beginning of the season, there were high expectations that the Bolts would be lethal playoff contenders. However, those expectations were quickly dismissed when several starters fell to injury early in the season.

Los Angeles began the season 1-2. Then, they were 4-3 during the bye week. And then, after being 5-3, the middle portion of the season wasn’t so pretty, as the team entered the month of December with a 6-6 record.

Nevertheless, the Bolts rallied to win three consecutive games with a defense that finally found its groove, despite missing star safety Derwin James for those contests and an offense orchestrated by quarterback Justin Herbert.

On Monday night, the Chargers clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2018 following their 20-3 win over the Colts.

“It’s just the beginning. This is just the beginning. This is not our final goal,” head coach Brandon Staley said. “We expected to be at this point. I’m really proud of how this season has gone for our football team and what we’ve been able to demonstrate in order to make it into the postseason.

“That’s probably what I’m most proud of,” Staley added. “Not just being in it, but how we made it. What it took for us to get in. But this is just the beginning for us.”

Los Angeles still has two games remaining against the Broncos and Rams, which will dictate its playoff seeding.

“Everything we worked for, everything we were here for … we are in the fight,” wide receiver Keenan Allen said.

It hasn’t been a seamless season for the Bolts, but resilience and adversity are two qualities that shape a championship team. There is no question that a winning team is talented, but are they tough enough to make it to the very end?

“I think for far too long, people have talked about the talent of this football team and the organization. That’s ultimately not what gets you where you want to go,” Staley said.

“You have to prove your toughness, and that’s what we’ve proven so far this year, that we have a tough enough football team — mentally and physically — to be where we are right now, which is in the tournament.”

The Chargers couldn’t have hit their stride at a better time, and they should only benefit from getting back key players in edge defender Joey Bosa and offensive tackle Rashawn Slater from their perspective injuries.

As Allen said, the Bolts are in the fight, and they will look to make a run when postseason play begins.

Top Twitter reactions to Chargers’ win over Colts, clinching playoff spot

How the internet reacted to the Chargers’ win over the Colts on Monday night.

The Chargers are playoff bound after their 20-3 win over the Colts. This will be the Bolts’ first playoff appearance since 2018.

Los Angeles earned its second three-game win streak to earn its spot in the Super Wild Card Weekend.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the Chargers’ victory and clinching a playoff spot:

Watch: Chargers’ Brandon Staley gives game ball to Dean Spanos

Following the Chargers’ victory over the Colts, Brandon Staley didn’t give the game ball to one of the players or coaches.

Following the Chargers’ playoff-clinching victory over the Colts, head coach Brandon Staley did not give the game ball to one of the players or coaches.

Instead, he gave it to owner Dean Spanos.

“I’ve got one game ball here,” Staley said in his post-game speech in the locker room. “We’re a team run by a family. None of us would be here if it weren’t for a special someone.

“I’ve been hoping to give him a game ball since I got here. I’ve been hoping,” Staley added. ‘He’s been patient. He’s invested in this team. He’s brought all of us together. Look around, guys; we’re all here because of him. Game ball…playoff appearance…Dean Spanos.”

Spanos did not say much, adding how proud he is of the team and wants them to end the season on a high note ahead of the playoffs.

The Chargers will be heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2018. This marks Staley and quarterback Justin Herbert’s postseason debut.

Win-and-in: Chargers will clinch playoff berth with victory over Colts

The Chargers have not made the playoffs since 2018. 

There are still three weeks remaining in the regular season, but the Chargers can punch their ticket to the playoffs in Week 16.

Los Angeles must defeat the Colts on Monday night for that to happen.

The Bolts found themselves in this win-and-in situation after the Jets, Patriots and Raiders all lost their perspective games this past week.

L.A. is currently sitting with a 92% chance of making the playoffs. If they lose to Indianapolis, their chances drop to 86%.

The Chargers have not made the playoffs since 2018.

Should Los Angeles win and get into the playoffs, it would then play to determine seeding. As of now, the Bolts are the sixth seed, but they have a chance to get the fifth seed.

Poll: Predict Chargers’ 2022 record after final five games

What will the Chargers’ record be after the final five games of the 2022 regular season?

Had the Chargers defeated the Raiders this past Sunday, they would have moved up two spots to the seventh seed after the Patriots lost to the Bills and the Vikings beat the Jets.

However, the loss to Las Vegas kept Los Angeles the ninth seed in the AFC. New England, who has the same record, wins the team breaker because it is a game up in conference record.

L.A. has a 30% chance of making the playoffs, down from 50% heading into Week 13, according to Five Thirty-Eight’s model. The Patriots have a 25% chance, and the Jets have a 48% chance.

The Chargers have back-to-back matchups with two tough teams, the Dolphins this week and the Titans next week, both at home.

Los Angeles has been one of the most injured teams in the league.

It’s been without many players, including Joey Bosa, Rashawn Slater, and J.C. Jackson, and players like Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Corey Linsley have missed multiple games.

But it goes beyond that.

Justin Herbert is playing at a high level. But the offensive scheme and play-calling are doing him no favors.

On the other side of the ball, Brandon Staley’s defense ranks near the bottom of the league. The personnel issues are a factor, but it is still not ideal for someone touted as a defensive guru.

With only five games remaining, and the next two being against two of the best teams in the conference, the Chargers face an uphill climb to make the playoffs. Will they do it? Is it too little too late?

Predict Los Angeles’ final record below.

[crowdsignal poll=11257879]

6 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 18 opponent: Raiders

Highlighting important things to know about the Chargers’ opponent ahead of the Week 18 matchup.

The Chargers and Raiders are set to meet at Allegiant Stadium in a do-or-die affair, as the winner will earn a trip to the playoffs.

Here are six key things to know about Las Vegas ahead of the Week 18 bout.

One of the hottest teams

The Raiders are riding a three-game win streak, with victories coming over the Browns, Broncos, and Colts.

How they got here?

The Raiders have been carried by their defense. Amid the last three games, Las Vegas ranks first in total defense (218.7 yards per game), eighth in scoring (15.7 points per game), third in passing (142.3 ypg), and second in rushing (76.3 ypg).

Former Chargers playing vital roles

The defensive unit has benefited from the presence of Denzel Perryman and Casey Hayward. Perryman, who was named to his first Pro Bowl, has 145 tackles, five tackles for loss, three passes defended, and a forced fumble. On the other hand, Hayward has been beaten for just 298 total yards and one touchdown on 604 coverage snaps in 2021.

Below par offense

While Derek Carr has efficiently distributed the wealth, currently possessing the fourth-most passing yards (4,618), he has struggled to guide his unit in the end zone. As a result, the Raiders have only topped 23 points dating back to Oct. 25. Furthermore, their running game ranks fourth-worst in the NFL (90.2 ypg) and in the red zone, converting 50.91% of their trips.

Supposed to get top target back

One of the factors in the Raiders’ substandard offense is the absence of Darren Waller. Waller has missed the last five games due to back and knee injuries along with COVID-19, with his previous action coming on Thanksgiving. In 10 games, Waller has 53 receptions for 643 yards and two touchdowns.

Holding down the fort

While the Raiders offense has greatly missed Waller, it has immensely benefited from the presence of Hunter Renfrow. Arguably one of the slickest route-runners in the league, Renfrow recently topped the 1,000-yard mark (1,025), is one reception shy of 100, and has seven touchdowns to go along with it.

Chargers vs. Raiders flexed to ‘Sunday Night Football’

When the Chargers play the Raiders next Sunday with a chance to play in the playoffs, they will do so in prime time.

When the Chargers play the Raiders next Sunday with a chance to play in the playoffs, they will do so in prime time.

The Week 18 matchup has been flexed from 1:25 pm PT to a 5:20 pm kickoff on “Sunday Night Football,” the NFL announced.

If Los Angeles wins, it will advance to the postseason since 2018. If Las Vegas wins, it will be its first trip to the playoffs since 2016.

Whichever team comes out on top will capture the No. 7 seed and likely face the presumed No. 2 seeded Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in a wild card matchup the following weekend.

The last time these two teams met earlier this season, the Chargers beat the Raiders, 28-14. The game was also a primetime matchup on “Monday Night Football.”

Everything we know about Chargers’ victory over Broncos

Highlighting everything notable from the Los Angeles Chargers’ victory over the Denver Broncos.

The Chargers defeated the Broncos, 34-13.

To recap Week 17, here is everything we know:

It was over when…

Andre Roberts took the kickoff to the house in the fourth quarter to put the stamp on the game.

Notable numbers of the game

Justin Herbert passed Philip Rivers for the Chargers franchise passing touchdown record (35).

The Broncos were held to 3.1 yards per carry.

The Chargers held the Broncos to just three conversions on 11 attempts.

The Chargers converted nine of their 15 attempts on third down.

Austin Ekeler and Justin Ekeler made up more than half of the Chargers’ total yards (173 of 341).

Quick takes

– Herbert took what was given to him, meaning the Broncos eliminated many options down the field. However, he was still efficient in the short-intermediate parts of the field.

– It helped that Herbert had clean pockets throughout the entire game. Still, he did a great job of going through progressions and finding & anticipating his open receivers, something he struggled with against Cover 2 defenses.

– It might’ve taken a while, but Ekeler and Jackson are hitting their stride on the field together. They were impactful catching the football just as much as they were on the ground.

– As I mentioned, Herbert had plenty of time to distribute the wealth, which all the credit goes to the offensive line for keeping him upright and paving the way in the run game.

– Trey Pipkins, who filled in for Storm Norton, had another excellent performance. The coaching staff has done a terrific job of developing him.

– Without Jared Cook or Donald Parham, Tre’ McKitty got involved in the passing game, catching all of his three targets for 22 yards.

– After being gashed on the ground, the Chargers held the Broncos held in check in this department. The difference? Joey Bosa, Justin Jones, and Derwin James on the field.

– There were a couple of issues with the pass defense: Lack of pass rush and allowing too many yards after the catch due to poor tackling and angles to the football. Drew Lock finished 18-of-25 passing for 245 yards.

– Aside from that, the play in the secondary is a night and day difference when all the starters are on the field.

– The midseason addition of Andre Roberts has shown to pay dividends since Day 1, but he made a strong point to be re-signed after this season with his kick returns of 47 and 101 yards.

What’s next?

The Chargers take on the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. Winner is in the playoffs.