2. Perfect AFC West record
A key reason the Chargers are firmly in the AFC playoff picture?
The Bolts are a perfect 4-0 in AFC West play so far this season, including a season sweep of the Raiders. The Chargers are at the Chiefs in Week 15 and at Denver in Week 18.
The Chargers are 4-0 in division play for the first time since 1980.
The strong division record has become a trend under Harbaugh, as the Chargers are 8-2 in division games since the Chargers Head Coach arrived in 2024.
Only the Texans (9-2) have a better record in division games since 2024 than the Chargers.
If the Chargers can win one (or both) of their final AFC West games, there’s a good chance they will be in the playoffs.
3. More dominance on 3rd down
The Chargers defense dominated the Raiders in multiple categories Sunday, giving up just 156 total yards, only 31 rushing yards and limiting Las Vegas to just 12 first downs.
Jesse Minter’s group also won the day on third down as the Bolts limited Las Vegas to convert on just 2-of-8 tries. Overall, the Chargers now rank fourth in the NFL in third-down defense at 34.78 percent.
All in all, the Bolts rank eighth in defensive success rate (42.0 percent) and are ninth in defensive EPA per play (-0.051).