What seemed improbable suddenly seems probable. All it took was for the Chargers to rally for a 22-19 overtime victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night to make their five-game stretch run seem slightly less daunting in the clear light of day.
Here’s what we learned, what we heard and, most importantly, what comes next after a victory that almost defied belief, providing another reason why the Chargers might navigate the most difficult part of their schedule and advance to the playoffs in Coach Jim Harbaugh’s second season:
HARBAUGH’S IMPACT
It would be better left to more knowledgeable football people to debate Harbaugh’s place in the NFL’s coaching hierarchy. Is he the best coach in the league when it comes to tactics, game-planning for an opponent and/or making adjustments in midgame? Let’s let others say.
What is clear is that he is one of the game’s greatest cheerleaders for his players. His ability to motivate the Chargers and lift them to greater heights is undeniable. Their victory over the Eagles was another case in point, another example of his greatest coaching ability.
To be sure, the Chargers have had a couple of clunkers along the way to their 9-4 record this season, especially losses in Week 4 to the New York Giants and in Week 11 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the players have responded to Harbaugh’s love of the game and willingness to speak to it loudly.
Was their play flawless or well executed Monday? Hardly, but they managed to win, anyway.
Bottom line: The Chargers won an ugly contest.
Of the victory over the Eagles, he said, “I’d put it in the discussion of the birth of my seven children, my marriage, you know? In the conversation. Just joyful, joyous and the Biblical definition of that is just overflowing with joy. Just all the great things our team did, our players did. It was beautiful.”
OK, that’s more than a little hyperbole, but Harbaugh went on and on.
Harbaugh praised quarterback Justin Herbert, calling him a “superhero” and a “competitive maniac.” He said the defense was “incredible.” He mentioned defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, defensive backs Cam Hart, Donte Jackson and Tony Jefferson. He gave every member of the defense a game ball.
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter got one, too.
Then he gave shout-outs to long snapper Josh Harris, punter/holder JK Scott and kicker Cameron Dicker, whose 54-yard field goal in OT wound up being the game-winner, but only after Jefferson’s interception of a deflected pass at his own 1-yard line put an end to a 3-hour, 33-minute football marathon.
“It’s a connected team,” Harbaugh said. “Already it’s connected. Our fates are intertwined and we know that. It’s a tight-knit team and it certainly doesn’t hurt (to win a game like Monday night’s), I can tell you that. We’re pretty darn close as it is, I can tell you that. If it brings us closer, I sure wouldn’t be surprised.”
It might sound corny, but Harbaugh believes in what he says and the Chargers respond to it. It’s why team owner Dean Spanos and his son, John, were right to hire Harbaugh in the first place. It’s why the Chargers might survive a late-season gauntlet and advance to the playoffs, after all.
CAREER DELAYED
One of these days, Jefferson will enter the front office of an NFL team and resume his post-playing career as a scout or executive. That day won’t be today, though. Jefferson has played too great a role for the Chargers after giving up on scouting and returning to the field last season.
Jefferson, who turns 34 next month, spent one season as a scout with the Baltimore Ravens, but is firmly entrenched in the Chargers’ defensive backfield. His interception of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ throw in OT was his fourth this season and his second spectacular grab in as many games.
“Tony Jefferson might have to delay his coaching career or front-office career,” Harbaugh said of the Chula Vista native who grew up a fan of the then-San Diego Chargers and idolized players like Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson, among others. “I’m just so happy for him.”
WHAT COMES NEXT
The Chargers play three of their final four games on the road, starting Sunday against the AFC West rival Chiefs in Kansas City. They face the Dallas Cowboys on the road the following Sunday before ending the season with a home date with the Houston Texans and a road game against the Denver Broncos.
Each of the Chargers’ final four opponents is jockeying for better playoff seeding (or just to qualify) down the stretch. There are no pushovers remaining on the Chargers’ schedule.
“Onward,” Harbaugh shouted Monday night.