Consistency in the NFL is perhaps the toughest thing to replicate. Any player or group can have a good game.<\/p>\n
The challenge is putting together a string of two, four, eight or 17 \u2014 choose any number, really \u2014 strong games that define who you are.<\/p>\n
The Chargers have shown that ability throughout the 2025 season.<\/p>\n
From Weeks 1 through 7, the Bolts only produced one game in the top 10 of defensive EPA per play. But in Weeks 8 through 18, Minter’s group had seven such instances, including three immediately after a Week 12 bye.<\/p>\n
“I’ve talked about this a lot, but I think it’s about trying to peak at the right time. I think at the bye week, I don’t think a lot of people winning the next four games against the schedule that was out there,” Minter said of games against the Raiders, Eagles, Chiefs and Cowboys.<\/p>\n
“I think there were predictions that we might not make the playoffs at that point. I feel good that we’re capable of going on a stretch and winning multiple games in a row, which you have to do this time of year to get where you want to go,” Minter added.<\/p>\n
The Chargers are the AFC’s No. 7 seed as the NFL playoffs<\/a> begin, meaning a date with the second-seeded Patriots and quarterback Drake Maye on Sunday night.<\/p>\n Yes, Justin Herbert has been elite all season, displaying a toughness that helped get the Chargers into the postseason. But the Bolts offense ranked 20th in EPA per play (-0.019) this season as the group battled injuries and attrition.<\/p>\n If the Chargers want to make a deep playoff run, the defense might need to lead the way.<\/p>\n