The Chargers are 22-12 under head coach Jim Harbaugh in the regular season with two 11-win campaigns, but they are 0-2 in his two playoff appearances. Last season represented a small backstep, as well, with the Bolts winning games by far closer margins and failing to take advantage of the Chiefs’ first down year in more than a decade.
At his best, Justin Herbert can make a team a Super Bowl contender, even as his critics fairly point to his playoff shortcomings as evidence that he can’t. This season could end up being a big test of that theory. If the Chargers’ offensive line (which received more reinforcements this offseason and returned its two best blockers from injury) can improve, there will be fewer excuses for Herbert. Mike McDaniel calling plays also is a wild-card factor in this equation.
The Chargers’ defense has been mostly excellent over the past two seasons, but new coordinator Chris O’Leary has big shoes to fill with Jesse Minter taking over the Ravens’ head-coaching job. In half a dozen years as an NFL head man, Harbaugh has shown an ability to win regular-season games at nearly a 70 percent clip and has zero losing seasons, but his postseason record (5-5) doesn’t match that level of performance.