Chargers Clinch Playoff Berth with Dominant Victory Over Patriots

After a one-year break, the Chargers have returned to the playoffs.

Los Angeles clinched a wild-card position by beating the New England Patriots 40-7 on Saturday.

"Just so proud of the team," head coach Jim Harbaugh said postgame about securing a playoff spot, per team transcript. "All those that made it happen. The players, the coaches. I mean, there was so much great play. I mean, our offense, our offense, great. Defense, great. I'm proud of our captains. ... Super, super proud of everybody. Everybody. I mean, it's everybody in the family, everybody in the organization that just keeps doing anything and everything they can to help our team be successful and to win."

The Chargers are currently seeking their first playoff victory since the 2018 season. Their sole playoff appearance since then was marked by the notorious 27-point lead collapse against the Jaguars in the 2022 playoffs. Additionally, Los Angeles is among five teams that have reached the playoffs this year without having won a Super Bowl.

The Bolts have become the sixth AFC team to secure a playoff position, leaving just one spot available in the conference.

L.A. achieved this in Harbaugh's inaugural year as their coach. Harbaugh previously guided the 49ers to the playoffs three times in his four-year tenure, reaching the Super Bowl in the 2012 season and the conference championship in the other two playoff appearances.

After being appointed as the Chargers' head coach earlier this year, Harbaugh highlighted his aim of having "another chance to be recognized as world champions." His team has now made the initial move towards that goal by securing a spot in the postseason in his first year leading the team.

Following a decisive win on Saturday, the only remaining task for the regular season is to find out the Chargers' exact seeding and their first playoff opponent.

"They put in all their effort, and all they asked of each other was to give their all, do their absolute best, and support one another," Harbaugh said about his team's performance. "Play for each other. That's a powerful thing. I believe it augurs well for us."

L.A. has one remaining game against Las Vegas in Week 18 before starting its 2024 postseason journey, aiming for a better result than in their previous appearance.