Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh recapped the Bolts 26-8 win on Monday from The Bolt.

Here are five takeaways from Harbaugh's press conference:

1. A dominant defense

Harbaugh succinctly summed up the state of his defense Monday afternoon.

"We're playing really good defense," Harbaugh said.

That might be putting it nicely.

The Chargers currently lead the NFL in points allowed per game (13.0) and rank second in EPA. per play allowed (-0.146) and success rate allowed (38.9 percent).

The unit is also sixth in third-down defense (32.22 percent), ninth in yards allowed per game (305.4) and have helped the Bolts to the fifth-best turnover margin at plus-6.

A big reason for the Bolts success? The elite mind of Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter, whom Harbaugh profusely praised on Monday.

"He's the architect of the defense. He's been responsible as much as anybody," Harbaugh said. "It's been outstanding. It's not just one of the best, it's the best scoring defense, which matters the most.

"What I love about Jesse is, we talk about the game and what we did and it's always one thing, working on one thing at a time all the time," Harbaugh continued. "Things we've identified, 'Hey, let's emphasize this, let's work on this.' There's no sense of satisfied.

"That's something I think he does a great job of and instills that in the team, instills that in the unit," Harbaugh added. "He's an incredible coach."

Harbaugh also handed out kudos to Minter's staff, too.

"It's a great staff along the defensive side. The guys are doing an incredible job," Harbaugh said. "Steve Clinkscale? Heck of a coach. Chris O’Leary is doing a great job. Mike Elston [is] dynamite. NaVorro Bowman is doing a heck of a job. Dylan Roney, [too].

"It's almost like a fist on that defensive side of the ball. They work together really well," Harbaugh said. "Jesse is the one that pulls it all together and makes it go, but we got some real quality coaches."

2. Timely explosive plays

Justin Herbert ignited the Chargers offense Sunday with a 38-yard scamper in front of the Bolts sideline.

"Justin Herbert got it all started," Harbaugh said.

Herbert's big play sparked a total of five 20-plus yard plays from the Chargers against the Saints, which tied the most by the offense in a single game this year. The Bolts also had five in a Week 6 win against Denver.

The uptick in explosive plays has helped jolt the Bolts offense. The Chargers had just nine total plays of 20-plus yards in their first four games but have conjured up 14 such plays in the past three games.

"It was needed. We got it right when we needed it," Harbaugh said. "It was great to have the explosive plays."

The highlight Sunday, of course, was Ladd McConkey's 60-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.

Harbaugh on Monday compared the Bolts rookie to five-time Pro Bowler Steve Smith, whom Harbaugh was around at the end of his career in Carolina.

"I watch the film of Ladd and he reminds me of Steve Smith in the way he goes up for one of those contested balls," Harbaugh said. "They both have the ability to almost look one way and then catch it a few feet the other way.

"It's really subtle, it's really good and we saw him do it again in this game," Harbaugh added. "He's done it in prior games. I tried to put my finger on it, 'What is he doing?' and that's who he reminded me of, Steve Smith."

McConkey's touchdown was the Chargers second-longest play of the season. And it wouldn't have happened without a key block from Joshua Palmer on the final stretch of McConkey's touchdown.

"It's something that [wide receivers coach] Sanjay Lal has been emphasizing," Harbaugh said. "If you don't have the ball, you're a blocker. In some form or fashion, you're not watching. Try to make a play, get a block, get near the play."

Palmer, by the way, had pair of the Bolts explosive pass plays Sunday. He hauled in a 45-yard pass from Herbert in the fourth quarter and also had a 27-yard reception in the third quarter.

Fellow wide receiver Jalen Reagor added to the fun with an acrobatic 24-yard reception late in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium.

"Love the big play," Harbaugh said.

3. Some injury updates

Harbaugh on Monday provided a pair of updates on two Chargers defenders.

Cornerback Kristian Fulton played 38 snaps Sunday after sustaining a hamstring injury. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday last week in practice with the same injury.

"We'll see where that is as the week goes," Harbaugh said.

Joey Bosa played 19 snaps against the Saints in his first action since Week 3.

The Chargers outside linebacker said Friday that he was planning on being on a snap count Sunday.

"He played 19 plays, just excited to have him back," Harbaugh said. "It's something really good to build on. He's a tremendous player. Hopefully we can build on that this week."

4. Tuli bounces back

Tuli Tuipulotu wasn't happy with his Week 7 performance against the Cardinals.

The Chargers outside linebacker bounced back in a big way Sunday by posting a Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 86.4, the second-highest mark of his young career.

Harbaugh said Tuipulotu was "outstanding" as he notched his first sack of the season while also getting a pass breakup and playing stout against the run.

Tuipulotu also played 29 special teams snaps against the Saints, one behind Troy Dye for the team lead.

"Had a heck of a game, one of his best," Harbaugh said. "We gave him a game ball.

"And he played really good on special teams, too," Harbaugh added. "All the different assignments he has, different units he's one. He played really well in that unit as well."

5. Room for offensive improvements

One area the offense will look to improve on in Week 9?

The unit's third-down performance.

The Bolts converted just three of 12 tries on that down Sunday as Herbert was sacked twice on third downs against New Orleans.

"We're striving to be better," Harbaugh said. "I thought we took a little bit of a step back on third down from what we had been trending in this past game."

The Chargers averaged third-and-7 against the Saints, a distance they surely want to improve against the Browns on Sunday in Cleveland.

But give the unit credit for this: two of the Bolts three offensive touchdowns came on third down and accounted for a pair of their three conversions.

J.K. Dobbins' 1-yard touchdown run came on third-and-goal from the 1 while McConkey's second touchdown catch came on third-and-goal from the 9.

Overall, the Bolts third-down offense currently ranks ninth in the NFL at 40.40 percent.