The Bolts are taking some time off for the bye week.
With the team currently sitting at 2-2, here's what we've learned about the Chargers thus far:
1. The defense is good
Actually, the Bolts defense is better than good.
Entering Week 5, the Chargers rank first in points allowed per game (12.5) and are seventh in yards allowed per game (282.5).
If you dive into the deeper stats, Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter's unit is thriving there, too.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Chargers defense has faced 11.3 drives per game, which ranks tied for the ninth-most.
But the Bolts are fourth overall by allowing just 5.3 plays per drive, which means the unit is quickly getting off the field.
And part of the reason the lead the league in points allowed per game is that opponents have scored touchdowns on just 11.1 percent of offensive drives against the Chargers. That percentage ranks third among all teams behind the Saints and Broncos.
"Guys are flying around, communicating," Derwin James, Jr. said. "It's been amazing."
If there's one area to improve for this unit, it's that it has allowed a 50-plus yard touchdown pass in each of the past two games.
But if this unit keeps playing like this, the Chargers should be in every game the rest of the way … just as they have so far this season.
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 4 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
2. Justin Herbert is tough as nails
If you've paid attention to the Bolts the past few seasons, you know how tough Justin Herbert is.
He's played through fractured rib cartilage, a shoulder injury and fractured fingers.
Herbert has displayed that warrior-like toughness once again as he's played the past two-plus game with a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 2.
"I know that everyone else in that locker room would do it as well," Herbert said Sunday. "Everyone's not feeling great – it's the NFL. It's a tough and brutal game.
"I know that I left everything I had out there. I felt comfortable," Herbert added. "Our communication with the training staff has been great all week. I know that all those guys in the locker room would do the same thing."
Through four games, Herbert's usual gaudy stats haven't been there as the Bolts have focused on a run-first offensive approach.
But there's no doubt that Herbert is the unquestioned leader of the Chargers in more ways than one.
"Every time I think there's not another rung on the ladder he can go to, in my esteem, he climbs another one," Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said.
Trey Pipkins III added: "That's Justin. He doesn't back down from anything. If he can be out there and not be a detriment, he's going to do it. That's what you want in your quarterback."
3. The offense has been up and down
Through four games, the Chargers offense has had its bright spots.
The run game hummed early with nearly 400 yards through two games while Herbert was efficient through the air.
But that offensive production has stalled a bit in recent weeks.
Entering Week 5, the Chargers rank 22nd in EPA per play (-0.087) and are tied for 29th in offensive success rate at 37.3 percent.
"It's building," Harbaugh said about the offense Monday. "We want to get better in all the areas."
Yes, injuries have played a role in the up-and-down start. But the Bolts have also been hampered by penalties and inconsistent play of late.
"It's taught us a lot about focusing in on our technique in critical situations," Pipkins said of back-to-back losses. "We've had too many self-inflicted mistakes and you can't have those because they kill drives. And they are harder to overcome against good defenses."
Will Dissly added: "The beauty of having an early bye is taking a look and what we did well and what we didn't and trying to improve those things. Really good opportunity for us to go and get better."
The Chargers will certainly be focused on second-half points coming out of the bye.
The Bolts scored 16 second-half points in Week 1 with a healthy Herbert. But in the six second-half quarters since he was injured in Carolina, the Bolts have managed just three points.
"It definitely stands out but is an area definitely for us to attack," Harbaugh said.
4. Embracing the Harbaugh mentality
The Bolts sit at 2-2 at the bye and might be feeling a little disappointed they couldn't pull off a win in either of the past two games.
But make no mistake about it, those losses felt different than one in previous seasons.
The Chargers routinely make life tough for their opponents with a physical style that fits the mindset Harbaugh wants his players to have.
Put another way, the Bolts are going to go down swinging, even if they lose.
"Just understanding what's going on," Khalil Mack said Sunday. "If you look at the film — what the offense is doing and what we're doing — it's a lot of football we can be proud of."
The Bolts will come out of the bye with 13 straight games and it's a good bet that most of them will feel like rock fights.
The Chargers Week 1 win over the Raiders was a perfect example where the game was close entering the fourth quarter before the Bolts pulled away late.
As Year 1 of the Harbaugh Era evolves, Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz said Wednesday that Harbaugh has impacted the entire organization from top to bottom.
"It's awesome. I said it before the draft, it's awesome," Hortiz said. "Obviously, I have a really good relationship with him and his brother. His brother I worked with for 16 years and consider John like a brother to me.
"And I watched Ozzie [Newsome] then Eric [DeCosta] , the relationship they had with the head coach and how important it is. It's huge for a GM and head coach to exist well," Hortiz continued. "
"Sometimes you have to work at it, we don't have to work at this," Hortiz added. "We have the same type of vision and philosophy. We have fun. I really mean it. I'm brothers with John, I'm already brothers with Jim."
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
Check out the scenes from in and around SoFi Stadium when the Chargers celebrated Latino Heritage Month during their week 4 matchup against the Chiefs.
5. Reinforcements could be on the way
The bye week comes at a good time as multiple Chargers players are on the mend from various injuries.
Offensively, tackles Rashawn Slater (pec) and Joe Alt (knee) missed Week 4. Alt was practicing Wednesday, however, a sign he may be close to returning.
Herbert, of course, is dealing with the ankle injury and should presumably be in a better place next week than he is now.
On defense, the Bolts hope Joey Bosa (hip) returns soon to add more punch to a stout edge rusher room.
Linebacker Nick Niemann, who began the season on Injured Reserve, was at practice on Wednesday. The Chargers opened his 21-day practice window on Tuesday.
Wide receiver DJ Chark, who also began the year on Injured Reserve, is also eligible to begin practicing soon.
Check out the Chargers 2024 schedule.
