The Chargers are now 8-4 after a thrilling 17-13 win in Atlanta.
Here are five takeaways from Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh's Monday press conference:
1. Harbaugh on Chargers playoff status
The Chargers currently reside in the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff picture, something that won't change based off Monday night's game between the Broncos and Browns.
With Harbaugh's squad at 8-4 and with a 90-plus percent chance to make the playoffs according to multiple models, does the Chargers Head Coach pay attention to the standings this time of year?
"Oh yeah, we look at the standings, for sure," Harbaugh said. "They are very important. We're fighting for our playoff lives."
As of Monday afternoon, ESPN gave the Bolts a 96 percent chance to make the dance. The Athletic and NFL Next Gen Stats were at 94 percent.
And the New York Times has the Chargers are at 95 percent, and those odds can climb to a projected 99 percent with a win Sunday night in Kansas City.
Even with the Chargers sitting pretty, Harbaugh wants his team focused on their own business with five games left.
"It'd be great if somebody else doesn't win, but you can't count on that," Harbaugh said. "It's something you don't count on.
"You've got to win the games yourselves. That's what you have to do," Harbaugh added. "Can't really spend any energy hoping a team messes up."
Harbaugh, who is known for his unique analogies, compared the Chargers to being a pro golfer in the sense that they always assume their opponent will make an upcoming putt on the green.
In other words, the Bolts simply need to be focused on their next shot — or game in this case — and see where they end up in January.
"We have to take care of business," Harbaugh said. "That's what matters."
2. Kudos for Derwin James
Harbaugh raved about Derwin James on Monday afternoon.
In fact, it was hard to wipe the smile off his face when talking about the Chargers safety, whom Harbaugh said had a "monster game" in Atlanta.
James effectively iced the game with an interception off Kirk Cousins with under a minute to play.
"I love the picture of the interception. I have it, getting it framed," Harbaugh said. "It's basement-worthy, it's office-worthy for any defensive back out there, catching the ball at its highest point.
"Eyes right on the ball," Harbaugh added. "He also dominated the perimeter of our defense all day."
James did, indeed, tallying 10 tackles and two tackles for loss plus the interception. Both of James' tackles for loss came on third-and-1 as he continues to roam around the line of scrimmage on defense.
"I think everybody sees it," Harbaugh said. "I'm sure everybody that tunes in on the television or goes to the games, how could you not?
"It's just infectious. That's why I say coming together it's a beautiful thing, include the fanbase," Harbaugh added. "Derwin James is a huge reason why our fanbase is believing in this team as well."
James posted a Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 90.9 on Sunday, good for the top mark among all safeties and the eighth-best PFF grade among all defenders in Week 13.
3. Still's timely tackle
Tarheeb Still had a dream day in Atlanta with two interceptions, including a pick 6 that ended up being the difference on the scoreboard.
Still posted a 94.0 PFF grade, which was the second-best mark among all defensive players in Week 13.
But Harbaugh on Monday actually pointed out a play where Still gave up a catch yet showcased his hustle and determination.
On second-and-10 late in the third quarter, Atlanta hit a 60-yard pass play that began with Still missing an interception and allowing Ray-Ray McCloud III to get up the sideline.
But what impressed Harbaugh the most was Still's ability to recover and get McCloud out of bounds at the Chargers 10-yard line.
"The play where they made the catch on him on the sideline when he was going for the PBU, he gets back up somehow and gets back in that play and makes the touchdown-saving tackle," Harbaugh said. "Just talking to him about it, it's like proud of him for all the other things he did.
"Warms the cockles of the heart that he made that play and he was able to make that play," Harbaugh added.
The Chargers red-zone defense stood tall after the play and limited the Falcons to a field goal as they clung onto a 17-13 lead, which obviously turned out to be the final score.
If Still doesn't make the tackle and McCloud scores, perhaps Atlanta ties the game and the end result turns out different?
Count Harbaugh among those who believe that.
"Pretty amazing, because that one did lead to three points instead of a touchdown," Harbaugh said. "What did we win by? Four points. Difference between a field goal and a touchdown? Four points.
"Just incredible, so happy for him and us," Harbaugh added.
Get an inside look at the postgame celebration from the Bolts 17-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
4. A look at the offense
After the Bengals game, Harbaugh spoke about how the defense had room for improvement.
He struck the same tone Monday when assessing the Bolts offense following Sunday's game in Atlanta.
The Chargers compiled a season-low 187 yards in Week 13, the first time the unit hadn't surpassed 200 yards in a game this season.
The offense, which also didn't score a touchdown, converted just three of 11 third-down tries.
"After watching the tape I feel the same way offensively and defensively coming out of this game, more offensively," Harbaugh said. "Things we could be better at. I was thinking that about our defense a couple of weeks ago after the Bengals game, we were at our best when our best was needed most.
"Feel the same way about the offense," harbaugh added. "Yeah, we could do some things better, but we were at our best when our best was needed most. Maybe just like the defense, it's going to translate."
Harbaugh spotlighted Justin Herbert's play as the Chargers quarterback once again didn't throw an interception.
"70 percent of his passes completed, he gave no opportunities for turnover," Harbaugh said. "The way he protected the ball, whether he was throwing it or in the pocket, when he got hit. No opportunities, nothing was given there. I thought he made all the plays that he really could have."
Herbert has now gone 305 consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception as he continues to set his own team record each week.
The top three such streaks in NFL history belong to Aaron Rodgers (402), Tom Brady (399) and Jared Goff (383).
5. Dye steps up at linebacker
Harbaugh on Monday rattled off a handful of defensive players who stood out Sunday.
But he made sure to single out one player in particular.
"If there's anybody to highlight, Troy Dye had an incredible game," Harbaugh said. "[He had] 18 tackles and 10 solo tackles, had a PBU, critical open-field tackle on No. 7 [Bijan Robinson]."
Dye played 62 of the Chargers 81 defensive snaps (77 percent) on Sunday and posted a solid PFF grade of 75.8.
Dye earned his second straight start next to Daiyan Henley (who had double-digit tackles yet again) with Denzel Perryman battling a groin injury and Junior Colson on Injured Reserve.
