The Chargers are back on the road Sunday for a Week 9 clash against the Browns.
Kickoff from Huntington Bank Field is at 10 a.m. (PT).
The Bolts are 1.5-point favorites and the over/under for Sunday's game is 41.5 points.
Here are five final thoughts ahead of Week 9:
1. The halfway point
The Bolts 2024 season is about to reach its midpoint under Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh.
The Chargers currently sit at 4-3 and occupy the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoff picture.
But they know there is plenty of work that remains now that the calendar has flipped to November.
"We expect better," Khalil Mack said. "The goal is to get better every week."
A win Sunday could go a long way for the Chargers to potentially make the postseason in Year 1 under Harbaugh.
According to data provided by the NFL, teams that have started 5-3 since 1990 have made the playoffs 64.1 percent of the time. Teams that start 4-4 get in 32.0 percent of the time.
The Bolts getting their fifth win — which would match last season's total — won't be easy in Cleveland.
The Browns may sit at 2-6 but have loads of talent on both sides of the ball that was the Chargers on high alert.
"This is one of the best defenses we'll see and offensively, they have found their identity, especially the last few weeks," cornerback Cam Hart said. "I think it's kind of deceiving. Something I've always told myself since I entered the NFL is are is no slouch games.
"Everybody is good and made it to this point for a reason," Hart added. "I don't care if you are 0-6 or 6-0, you approach it the same way."
Justin Herbert said: "They're much better than their record indicates. You turn on the film and that doesn't take long to see."
Sunday's game in Cleveland is the Chargers only November road game as the Bolts then come home for three straight games at SoFi Stadium.
Getting a Week 9 win would punctuate a solid first half of the season for the Chargers.
"A good team win, that's the goal every week," said Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter.
2. An elite matchup
If you're a football junkie, Sunday's battle between edge rusher Myles Garrett and the Bolts standout offensive tackles of Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt is about as good as it gets.
Slater smiled when asked what stood out about Garrett, a five-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and the NFL's 2023 Defensive Player of the Year.
"Everything," Slater said. "He's really good. In all ways."
Slater later added: "I don't think you can understate it. He's a future Hall of Famer."
Entering Week 9, Garrett is tied for third among edge rushers with a Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 91.5 along with Khalil Mack. Garrett's 92.8 PFF pass-rush grade is second in the NFL.
The Bolts will counter with Slater, who is currently PFF's No. 4 offensive tackle with a grade of 85.5. Slater and Garrett squared off in 2021 but Slater was injured when the teams met in 2022.
"You have to pay a lot of respect," Slater said. "You study like you would any other player but just know that it's going to take that extra bit of physicality and technique.
"Your execution has to be very high," Slater added. "He's one of those guys where you can do everything right and he still have a chance of winning just because he's that good. It'll be a challenging matchup for sure."
Alt will also see Garrett as the elite edge rusher can line up everywhere along the line.
"He has the ability do it all," Alt said of Garrett. "Speed on the edge, he has power and the ability with multiple moves to hit you inside and outside. You have to be able to defend all of it and play him honest."
Harbaugh this week called Alt a "baby-faced giant." The No. 5 overall pick ranks 17th among all tackles with a PFF grade of 76.2.
"He's one the premier guys in the league for a long time," Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman said of Garrett. "Everything about it is going to be tough.
"I think our guys are getting fired up for that challenge," Roman added. "And it's quite the challenge. We have a ton of respect for him and his game."
Check out the best photos from the second practice of Week 9 on Wednesday at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
3. Hart continues to shine
The Bolts secondary remains banged up heading into Week 9.
With Asante Samuel, Jr. on Injured Reserve, the Chargers will also be without fellow starting cornerback Kristian Fulton due to a hamstring injury.
Good thing Cam Hart is ready to play ... and has been from the moment the season started.
"It was clear from the time he's been here that he's got the ability and the license to be really good," Harbaugh said. "And he's gone for it, you know? He's attacked every opportunity … just the way he's performed and has been really good."
Harbaugh later added: "It's been a gift. A gift from the football gods."
Hart is in line to make his fourth straight start Sunday against the Browns. He said Friday that he's kept a workmanlike approach even as he's gained more playing time.
"I think just overall in football, just the resilience to like battle back from adversity," Hart said. "Just keep my head down and chopping wood and working every day and just knowing that the opportunity is going to come."
And he hasn't taken much time to dwell on his rising position, especially since the Bolts are smack dab in the middle of the season.
"I've appreciated the opportunity obviously. But do I sit there and go, 'Oh my gosh, I'm an NFL starter?' No," Hart said. "Honestly, it was expected from myself. That was one of my expectations of myself, you know what I mean?
"But I feel like that's something to be celebrated at the end of the season once it's all said and done," Hart added.
Hart, a 2024 fifth-round draft pick, has played 185 defensive snaps so far this season. That's 12 behind fellow fifth-round Tarheeb Still, both of whom have been key to the Chargers defense staying afloat on the back end due to injuries.
"There's no easy position to be good in the NFL in the first year, but I know that's one of the hard ones," Harbaugh said.
4. Bolts defense ready for Chubb
The Bolts are well-aware Nick Chubb is starting to look like his old self.
The Browns running back suffered a serious knee injury, including a torn ACL in Week 2 of the 2023 season.
Chubb made his return in Week 7 and has the Bolts defense on high alert, especially when it comes to tackling.
"One of the best running backs in this league," Derwin James, Jr. said. "He has been every year he's been in this league. We just have to ready and everybody has to be there to tackle him."
Chubb averaged over 1,000 rushing yards per season in his first five years in the league.
And the Chargers remember his performance the last time the teams met as he ran for 134 yards and two scores on just 17 carries.
Minter has also seen Chubb up close from his time with the Ravens and knows firsthand how important stopping the run will be.
"The guys are certainly dialed into that and know it's a great challenge," Minter said. "Certainly have a lot of respect for him.
"I've seen him a few times and been burned a few times," Minter added. "Great player and glad he's back healthy for his sake and that he overcame that."
The Bolts have displayed a steely run defense under Minter this season as they currently lead the NFL in EPA per rush allowed at -0.251.
5. Dicker celebrates milestone
Week 9 will be a milestone of sorts for Cameron Dicker.
When Sunday rolls around, it will mark two years to the day (November 3) that the Chargers originally signed the kicker to their practice squad.
"That's cool, I didn't know that," Dicker said.
Dicker, of course, has thrived since donning the powder blue.
He's made 67 of 71 total field goals (94.5 percent) for the Bolts, including 11 from 50-plus. That includes a 59-yarder earlier in the season that tied a franchise record.
Dicker said this week that he couldn't imagine himself anywhere else.
"It's a cool opportunity for everybody here," Dicker said. "I think it's awesome having Jim here kind of getting everybody going and then having a team that's buying into it all.
"And just the guys here are awesome," Dicker added. "It's a place I want to be. If I can be here the rest of my career, I would be."
Dicker was signed to the Bolts practice squad due to injury.
Dustin Hopkins got injured, leading to the Chargers to then add Taylor Bertolet, who actually kicked against the Browns in Cleveland in Week 5 of the 2022 season.
But Bertolet then got hurt as Dicker was brought on. The rest is history as Dicker was stellar in 2022 and eventually won a kicking battle against Hopkins in training camp of 2023.
The Chargers later traded Hopkins to Cleveland, where he's made 46 of 52 field goals over the past two seasons.
"I love Dustin and it's going be really cool to be able to see him and talk with him before the game," Dicker said. "He was just a huge help to me when he was here. It's fun to see him doing so well."
