The 2024 NFL season is nearing its halfway point.
And at 4-3, the Chargers remain square in the AFC playoff mix — but some believe they could be even more than just a playoff participant.
The Athletic's Austin Mock recently used his NFL Projection Model to rank his top contenders in the AFC that could possibly take down the Chiefs in the postseason.
Mock separated teams into three tiers, with the Bolts leading off the second group of "Could be Contenders." They were the No. 3 team on his list only behind the Bills and the Ravens.
Mock believes the team is coming together — and the biggest key to being a contender lies on the impressive defensive display thus far.
Mock wrote:
This might be a little spicy, but considering the state of the AFC, I think there is only one other team worthy of being in this second tier alongside Los Angeles. The Chargers went toe-to-toe with the Chiefs earlier this season, and that was with a banged-up offensive line and a hobbled Justin Herbert. Since the offense has gotten healthy, they've been playing really well, especially Herbert. Outside of a game against the Arizona Cardinals where they couldn't convert red zone opportunities into touchdowns, they've been back on track.
But the defense is where I want to bring your focus. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has not missed a beat in converting to the NFL from the college game (Michigan), as the Chargers rank near the top of basically every defensive category. They're in the top five in both rushing success rate and EPA per dropback, according to TruMedia. Sure, the schedule hasn't been filled with world-beaters so far, but they did hold each of the Chiefs, Cardinals and Denver Broncos to 17 points or less.
Check out the best photos from the first practice of Week 9 on Wednesday at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Chargers defense has yet to allow an opponent to score over 20 points and leads the NFL in points allowed per game (13.0).
Not to mention Herbert and the offense continue to build a rapport and get some momentum going as players get healthier.
Couple one of the better defenses in the league with an offense that is led by one of the league's best quarterbacks, and Mock believes the formula is there for the Bolts to contend in the AFC.
Mock wrote:
Again, the theme here is balance. The Chargers have enough on offense and a really good quarterback paired with a stout defense… But at the end of the day, Harbaugh is one of the best coaches in football; he wins everywhere he goes, and I don't think this season will be any different.
To read Mock's full rankings, click here.
