Consider this your one-stop shop on Mondays for all things Chargers.
Here are five things to know about the Bolts ahead of Week 18:
1. Are the Chargers in the playoffs?
YES.
The Bolts rolled past the Patriots in a 40-7 victory on Saturday, with the win moving the Chargers to 10-6 and clinching a playoff berth.
It marked quite the turnaround under Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, who has now led the Bolts to the postseason in his first year at the helm.
The Chargers outgained the Patriots 428 to 181 in total yards Saturday and turned the game into a rout in the second half.
Click here for a detailed recap of the Week 17 win.
2. Who stood out on Saturday?
Justin Herbert had perhaps his best game of the season in Week 17.
The Bolts quarterback posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 84.8, which was tops among all offensive players, and also threw three touchdown passes for the first time this season.
Oh yeah, Herbert etched himself into the NFL record books, too.
Defensively, safety Tony Jefferson posted the highest PFF grade at 74.6 on 31 snaps.
But it was Derwin James, Jr. who set the tone for the defense with a pair of sacks and a fumble recovery.
He earned a PFF grade of 72.1 against New England.
Get an inside look at the postgame celebration from the Bolts 40-7 win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
3. What seed will the Chargers be in the AFC?
Good question!
Entering Week 18, the Chargers know they will either be the fifth or sixth seed in the AFC playoff field.
Here are the scenarios:
5th Seed: Chargers win and a Steelers loss on Saturday night
6th Seed: Steelers win Saturday night or Chargers loss
Because Pittsburgh plays Saturday night, the Bolts will know then if they are alive for the No. 5 seed.
The Bolts cannot be the seventh seed because they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Broncos.
Browse through live action photos of the Bolts Week 17 matchup against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium
4. What's a key Chargers stat to know?
You heard of this Ladd McConkey guy?
The Bolts wide receiver cemented himself as one of the league's best young players Saturday while also stamping his name atop the franchise record books.
McConkey had eight catches for 94 yards and two scores against the Patriots as he set single-season rookie records for both receptions and receiving yards.
The 2024 second-round draft pick broke both records that were previously held by Keenan Allen.
5. What does Week 18 look like for the Bolts?
The Bolts will end the regular season the same way they started it ... with a game against the Raiders.
Kickoff on Sunday will be at 1:25 p.m. (PT) from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The Bolts beat the Raiders all the way back in Week 1 when they scored a 22-10 win in Harbaugh's Chargers coaching debut.
The Raiders are 4-12 but have won two straight games late in the season.
Check out the Chargers 2024 schedule.
