The Chargers are return home for Sunday's game against the NFC South-leading Buccaneers.

Kickoff from SoFi Stadium is at 1:25 p.m. (PT).

The Bolts are 3-point favorites and the over/under for Sunday's game is 45.5 points.

Here are five final thoughts ahead of Week 14:

1. Get back on track

The homestretch is here.

The Chargers enter the final month of the season in a playoff spot but still have work to be done.

Everyone knows how crucial these next four games are, beginning Sunday against Tampa Bay.

"It's always a heightened time of the year," Khalil Mack said. "November and December is the football you remember.

"That's kind of what I preach to the guys. We got to take that level up, especially in this fourth quarter of the season," Mack added. "It's going to be a hell of a challenge. They're going to come with their best and we got to come with our best as well."

Rookie Cam Hart added: "We gotta go. This is the time where the small details pick up and matter. This is the time when those come alive."

The Chargers currently sit at 8-5 and in the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff picture.

Players and coaches have talked this week about finding a way to bounce back from Sunday night's last-second loss in Kansas City.

Recent history has shown the Bolts can do that. So far this season, the Chargers are 3-1 following a loss. They will look to improve that to a 4-1 mark by Sunday evening.

"[Love] the way these guys show up," Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter said. "When you're 8-5, five different times we've had to show up in that first meeting after a loss, which is never fun for anybody.

"You either win, or you learn," Minter added. "Our guys have done an unbelievable job of responding to those situations."

The Buccaneers, who enter riding a three-game win streak, will also feel the same sense of playoff urgency. Tampa Bay currently sits atop their division with a 7-6 record.

"Full attention on this game against a really good team lead that is leading their division," Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said. "I'm sure we have their full attention; they have our full attention. Huge game, they're on a three-game winning streak."

There are a handful of massive games around the AFC on Sunday, including Miami at Houston and Indianapolis at Denver.

And while the Bolts could strengthen their playoff chances based on those outcomes, the best way to eventually get into the postseason is to earn it yourself.

That is the Chargers No. 1 priority right now. The chase continues Sunday.

"Every game is a playoff game," Bradley Bozeman said. "The goal is to win every game that's left. You have to make sure you get to the dance before you can dance."

Joey Bosa added: "Our fate is in our hands. It's a good place to be this time of year. We don't want it any other way."

2. Rotating the corners

Hart made his return to the field Sunday night by playing 27 snaps after he missed the past two games.

The standout fifth-round rookie cornerback said this week his goal is to never miss another game.

"Just being away for those two weeks, you want to do everything to get back," Hart said. "Now that I'm back, I don't want to be in that situation again."

Hart's return created a cornerback rotation of sorts for the Bolts. Kristian Fulton led the group with 60 snaps against the Chiefs while rookie Tarheeb Still played 53 snaps.

Going forward, it appears Minter will use some combination of that group at outside cornerback based on matchups and situations. Keep in mind that Derwin James, Jr. has essentially transitioned to the Bolts slot cornerback role of late.

"It's something we have to continue to manage," Minter said. "I think as guys continue to get healthier and back at it, maybe it changes a little bit. Happy with all three of those guys that can all three play.

"Tarheeb has some flexibility to go inside and outside," Minter added. "Just excited about the way those guys have played overall, the competitiveness they've played with. Look forward to them continuing to get better and better."

Harbaugh added: "Sounds like a good problem to have … good to be getting more to full strength."

The players themselves said this week that they are fine with the rotation and will be ready at any moment.

"It's really helpful because we play so many plays and it helps guys keep their legs under them, not go too crazy. It gets tough playing 80 snaps each week," Fulton said. "Coach is just looking out for us players and we appreciate that.

"We just have to stay locked in because it could change in any moment depending on the situation, how the game is going to play, what's the feel of the game," Fulton continued. "I think it's helpful for us and keeps us locked in.

"100 percent [you feel it]. Not even just physically, but mentally. Staying mentally refreshed, being out there, making all the checks and calls," Fulton added. "I feel like coming off for a series, I can kind of see from the outside looking in on the field being on the sideline. It just gives us a refresh mentally and physically."

Hart added: "I feel like we all have shown what we can do and what we can contribute to this defense. The coaches continue to trust us so it's just doing our part on the field."

Keep an eye on how the playing time shakes out among this group against the Buccaneers.

3. Tall task up front

On the opposite side of the ball, the Chargers will be focused on slowing down Tampa Bay's pair of star defensive tackles.

Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey each have 6.0 sacks this season and are tied for the team lead.

"They are two of the best," Harbaugh said.

Vea stands at 6-foot-4 and 347 pounds and is a monster on the interior. Bozeman knows this well from playing in the NFC South the past two seasons.

"I've played Vita four times the past two years. He's a great player," Bozeman said. "He does a lot of good things, plays with high energy and he's a big, heavy guy. You've got to being your 'A game' for sure."

Vea currently ranks 15th among defensive tackles with at least 400 snaps with a Pro Football Focus grade of 74.6. His pass-rush grade of 78.0 ranks seventh among that same group.

Kancey, a 2023 first-round pick who is listed at 6-0 and 280 pounds, drew high praise from Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman this week.

Kancey played collegiately at Pittsburgh, the same school that produced Aaron Donald.

"He is wired quick," Roman said of Kancey. "I think he's from Pitt, right? I'm not anointing him the next, you know ... I'm not saying he's him. But there's a lot of similarities in their style. He's a heck of a player."

Keeping Vea and Kancey contained will be even more important this week with Justin Herbert dealing with a sprained left ankle.

Herbert was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

4. Watch out for the YAC

Baker Mayfield leads a high-flying Buccaneers offense into SoFi Stadium in Week 15.

Entering Sunday's game, Tampa Bay ranks atop the league in numerous statistical categories.

The Buccaneers are second in third-down conversions (47.17 percent), third in yards per game (379.3), fourth in red-zone scoring (68.63 percent) and fifth in points per game (27.9).

If that's not impressive enough, there is one stat Tampa Bay does rank No. 1 in: yards after the catch. Entering Week 15, the Buccaneers have compiled 1,984 yards after the catch as a team, good for over 152 yards per game.

That has the full focus of the Chargers entire defense this week.

"They're really, really good," Minter said. "I think it's an effort and angles game to a tee where you got to get more than one guy there. Their running backs, receivers, tight ends, Baker outside the pocket, are really good in space.

"They do a bunch of throws in that line of scrimmage or behind, up to that 10-yard range," Minter continued. "They complete a ton of passes in those areas, get those guys the ball in space, blockers out in front of them, they do a great job there.

"It's all 11 hats to the ball, it's taking the proper angles, it's knowing where your teammates are, what leverage to attack, tackling," Minter added. "All the things I think we harp on a ton. These types of games are what they're built for, what they're made for."

Hart said in the locker room this week that Minter has repeatedly emphasized this area as a key to Sunday's game.

Sure enough, Hart and Fulton echoed their coach's answer when asked about the YAC threat.

"We know they have playmakers with great ability to make yards after the catch or a run," Fulton said. "The main thing as a defense is making sure we take the right angles so we eliminate the cutback, force all 11 to kind of bottle them up.

"That's going to be very huge for us," Fulton added. "We know they like to get the ball in their playmakers hands quick and some type of high-low concept almost."

Hart added: "We need to be good on our angles and our eyes and locking on a certain hip. It's getting all 11 to the ball. There shouldn't be one person making the tackle."

Tampa Bay's YAC master reside at running back where Rachaad White (420) and Bucky Irving (391) are the team's YAC leaders.

"They're home-run hitters," James said. "They can take the ball the distance at any moment so we have to know where they're at from the catch, check downs and in the run game also."

5. A return for Perryman?

Denzel Perryman is listed as questionable for Week 15.

The linebacker has missed the past three games with a groin injury he suffered in Week 11 against the Bengals.

His game status for Sunday is a positive after he was initially listed as doubtful last week before being ruled out.

"The goal is to play but I don't know what their plan is for me," Perryman said. "I don't know how long. I mean, just to get back out there in general, just to be back out there taking reps, it feels good, man."

Perryman's return would help the Chargers add some thump against the run.

"I feel good to be back out there with the guys," Perryman said. "I miss them and I know they miss me."

Harbaugh added: "Captain. One of our stalwarts, our leaders."