Here’s what we learned, what we heard and what comes next after the Chargers pulled out a 34-27 victory Sunday night over the Cincinnati Bengals that extended their winning streak to four games and likely cemented their status as a playoff contender with a 7-3 record overall:
ARE THEY FOR REAL?
Yes, the Chargers tuned up for the most difficult part of their schedule with a gritty victory over the Bengals, a game that could have gone sideways on them three or four different ways in the fourth quarter, and almost did. They seized the victory on an epic four-play, 84-yard drive in 27 seconds.
No, they aren’t without some significant flaws, as evidenced by the way they coughed up a 27-6 lead in a little more than a quarter of play. They have miles to run before they can claim to be an elite team, but there’s zero question that the chase is on and they’re sprinting in the right direction.
Yes, the Chargers are fifth in the AFC standings and would play the No. 4 Houston Texans (6-4) if the playoffs were to begin today. Since the playoffs don’t begin today, the Chargers have plenty of time to smooth out the rough edges to their game, and there are quite a few of them.
No, nothing is guaranteed to them at this point. They have seven games to play, including the next three against top-quality opponents, starting with the Baltimore Ravens (7-4) in the Harbaugh Bowl on Monday night at SoFi Stadium. Next, they play the Atlanta Falcons (6-5) and the Kansas City Chiefs (9-1).
WHO ARE THEY?
Resilient, hard to defeat, hard-nosed and stubborn all mean nearly the same thing, and the Chargers put all of those similar traits on display while defeating the Bengals. Not every game is going to be like their victories over the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints.
The Chargers’ defense finally cracked in the third quarter against the Bengals, and their offense began to misfire badly, and they watched Cincinnati rally for a 27-27 tie. It might have sent Chargers teams of the recent past reeling to an unfathomable defeat, but not this one.
“Every man is all in — offense, defense, special teams,” Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. said. “It was a complete team win. I see poise. I see confidence. (Justin) Herbert, when the game was tied, told me he was going to get it. We have all the confidence in the world in them (the Chargers’ offense).
“And they went out and did it.”
How different are the 2024 Chargers from the 2023 Chargers?
“It feels way different,” James said. “Guys are committed.”
HARBAUGH’S IMPACT
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh might have had some doubts about Sunday night’s game against the Bengals, but he wasn’t about to reveal them on the sideline or in the locker room. He might have worried about how best to contain Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offense, but he didn’t share them, either.
There is zero doubt about the impact Harbaugh has had on the Chargers in his first 10 games as their coach. He is everything Brandon Staley, Anthony Lynn and Mike McCoy were not when they were first-time NFL coaches. Harbaugh brings a history of great accomplishment and it shows on the field.
“Just respond,” Harbaugh said of his message to the team in the final quarter Sunday night. “Just because we lost the momentum didn’t mean they had it and we were going to get it back. The guys didn’t flinch, didn’t buckle, didn’t even stumble. They just kept right at it and responded.”
They have weaknesses, no doubt, but these Chargers are built differently.
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WHAT COMES NEXT
The gauntlet continues. The Chargers are 1-0 so far in a four-game stretch that represents the toughest part of their schedule. Jim Harbaugh versus John Harbaugh, coach of the Ravens, is up next on Monday night at SoFi Stadium. Like the Bengals’ Burrow, the Chargers will face a highly-skilled quarterback in Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. It’ll be another test, another challenge.
Will they pass it?
“The Ravens, I mean, they’re tough,” Harbaugh said. “My brother is as tough as they come. He pulls it out of you. So, about four or five hours from now (after the Chargers’ victory Sunday night over the Bengals), I’m going to turn all of my attention to that (game next Monday).”