The Chargers secured the AFC’s fifth seed in the playoffs with a decisive 34-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. While music pumped through the locker room, the celebrations were notably subdued as the team remained focused on the postseason.
With the win, the Chargers (11-6) set up a wild-card matchup against the fourth-seeded Texans (10-7) on Saturday in Houston. A narrow 19-17 Bengals win over the Steelers also played a pivotal role, elevating the Chargers to the fifth seed and sparing them a matchup with the Ravens.
“It’s the start of a new season,” head coach Jim Harbaugh emphasized. He praised quarterback Justin Herbert’s stellar performance, describing his precision as “incredible,” with passes that seemed as effortless as handoffs. Herbert completed 28 of 36 attempts for 346 yards, throwing touchdowns to DJ Chark Jr. and Will Dissly. Quentin Johnston also had a career-best game with 13 catches for 186 yards, becoming Herbert’s go-to target.
The game started shakily, with the Chargers trailing 10-9 late in the second quarter. Key mistakes, including missed field goals and penalties, marred their early play. However, a game-changing interception by linebacker Daiyan Henley set up a touchdown pass from Herbert to Chark, followed by a two-point conversion to Ladd McConkey. This 28-second surge flipped the momentum, energizing the Chargers and their fans.
Looking ahead, the Chargers appear ready to ride their star quarterback and newfound momentum into the playoffs, determined to make this “new season” a memorable one.
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