After the Chargers (10-4) willed their way to another crucial victory in their Week 15 AFC West division showdown against the Chiefs (6-8) by a score of 16-13 from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 14, there were once again multiple areas that were good, bad, and ugly.

To preface the trio of categories, let’s understand the importance of Sunday’s win concerning the AFC playoff picture.

Sunday’s win kept the Bolts ahead of the Bills (via tiebreaker based on best win percentage in conference games) and the surging Texans, who both won their respective matchups, while also eliminating the Chiefs from NFL playoff contention for the first time since 2014.

Before I break down the categories, I would like to wish a speedy recovery to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who underwent successful ACL and LCL surgery on his left knee after he suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game.

Now onto the breakdown.

Good: Jesse Minter’s Defense Is EVERYWHERE

Continuing from the past two weeks, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has the Chargers’ defense playing exceptionally well almost everywhere on the field and making key plays when called upon in clutch situations.

Along with recording five sacks, the Bolts’ defense came up with critical takeaways late in the fourth quarter, including interceptions from Daiyan Henley and Derwin James Jr. to preserve their three-point lead and eventual victory.

Bad: Sluggish Passing Game

While Justin Herbert completed 19-of-29 pass attempts for 210 yards and one touchdown and one interception, the Chargers need to be much more explosive through the air moving forward to keep pace with both their remaining three opponents in the regular season and potential foes in the playoffs.

Albeit Kansas City typically has an aggressive pass-rush, it does not excuse the Bolts from performing at their best in the passing game against a Chiefs squad that was held in check by the Chargers’ defense.

Ugly: Offensive line protection

While this was a much cleaner game from the offensive line’s perspective than last week, when the Chargers gave up seven sacks on 33 quarterback pressures, there are still lingering concerns about their efficiency moving forward.

As the Bolts head to Dallas on Dec. 21, they will face a Cowboys defense capable of disrupting the pocket. Although Dallas doesn’t quite have the firepower it had in years past, it will still be a challenge.

The Chargers will now shift their focus to the aforementioned Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1), who they will play at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m. PT on FOX.