Somehow, some way, the Chargers have emerged as a different team since that clunker of a loss Oct. 19 to the Indianapolis Colts, a fact that was underscored during their third consecutive victory since that defeat, a 25-10 win Sunday over Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Here’s what we learned, what we heard and what comes next for the Chargers, who have played well enough despite a string of injuries to key players to remain in playoff contention while relying on their defense to carry them rather than leaving it all on Justin Herbert’s shoulders:
GETTING DEFENSIVE
Since the Chargers’ lackluster 38-24 loss to the Colts, their defense has held their next three opponents to a grand total of 26 points. After losing to Indy, the Chargers stuffed the Minnesota Vikings, 37-10, defeated the Tennessee Titans, 27-20, and then beat the Steelers, 25-10.
Yes, the Titans scored 20 points, but one Tennessee touchdown came via an interception return and another was off a punt return. The Chargers’ defense gave up only a pair of field goals. The Chargers also held off the Titans with a critical goal-line stand in the third quarter.
The Chargers limited Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz to 144 yards passing and sacked him five times. They held Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward to 145 yards and sacked him four times. They limited Rodgers to 166 yards and sacked him three times, including once for a safety.
“We’re stacking weeks, that’s all we’re trying to do,” Chargers outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu said. “I think before the Vikings week we just went back to basics. We’ve kept everything a little simple and just allowed everyone to play free and just do what they want to (do). I think that now that we’re all doing our job, we’re playing good, and we just want to keep stacking weeks.”
Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley did what he could to put their modest winning streak into perspective in the wake of holding Rodgers to 16-for-31 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. Yes, the Chargers are 7-3. No, they haven’t accomplished anything yet.
“The year is not over and the season’s not over, so we would hate to set a bar and not be able to meet that again,” Henley said. “It’s not about the highs and the lows. It’s about staying consistent. So, that was a good performance, but how can we do it again? How can we raise the bar for the next game and so forth?”
DEFENSIVE (PART 2)
Henley revealed that defensive coordinator Jesse Minter says the Chargers must earn the right to rush an opposing quarterback, explaining that they must force the other team into a passing situation by “winning the rundowns, winning first down, winning second down, so you can get third-and-long.”
Henley continued, “Earn the right to pass rush, that’s the payoff. You want to get a sack. You want to be the guy to get the glory. Our coach says, ‘Earn the right to pass rush.’ So, ‘Earn the right to rush’ is our mantra, our motto, that our coach, Jesse Minter, has passed on to the defense.”
O-LINE WORRIES
In the end, newly-acquired offensive lineman Trevor Penning didn’t play a single snap Sunday after the Chargers swapped a draft pick for him before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. He stood on the sideline and watched the Steelers’ pass rushers swarm Herbert again and again.
Herbert was sacked five times and hit on numerous other dropbacks, some legal and some not so much, although the referees seemed indifferent to the late punishment. Herbert managed to complete 20 of 33 passes for 220 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
Coach Jim Harbaugh defended the offensive line’s performance, saying, “I think the rumors of the demise of our offensive line were premature. I thought they stepped up and played great.” Harbaugh was no doubt referring to ongoing reports from the Southern California News Group and elsewhere.
WHAT COMES NEXT
The Chargers (7-3) travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars (5-4) on Sunday, a return to the scene of the 31-30 wild-card loss that ended their 2022 season. The Jaguars had their own come-from-ahead defeat Sunday, coughing up a 29-10 fourth-quarter lead in a 36-29 loss to the Houston Texans.
The Chargers finally reach their bye in Week 12. They end the regular season with games against the Las Vegas Raiders at home, on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys, followed by home dates against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Texans.
Their regular-season finale is at Denver against the Broncos.