By Korbin McCarthy
The Los Angeles Chargers are proof that a bye week can be very beneficial for your program. The time off helped the Chargers reset, recharger and get healthy. After coming off the bye week they delivered a dominating performance against their AFC Division rival, the Las Vegas Raiders.
These two teams have been long time bitter division rivals dating back to the Chargers days in San Diego and the Raiders days in Oakland. Even the head coaches are longtime rivals since Pete Carroll’s glory days at USC and Jim Harbaugh’s time at Stanford. No matter how bad the Raiders are when they face the Chargers the record goes out the window. The Raiders sit at the bottom of the AFC West with a record of 2-10, but because of the rivaled history they show up for the challenge against the Chargers.
The Chargers entered the Sunday afternoon match up in second place in the AFC West with a 7-4 record, behind the first place Denver Broncos. With the win the Chargers improved to 8-4. They are two games behind the Broncos who improved to 10-2 with a recent win over the Washington Commanders. The Chargers are fighting for a spot in the post-season, and are currently sitting in the Wild Card position.
With five games left on the regular season schedule the mission is clear for the Chargers, keep winning.
“We got five guaranteed, five games to earn the right to get games six, seven. Eight and more,” said Chargers defensive leader Derwin James. “We’re just to get to night and 10th game. Every week, every day you’re earning that opportunity to go out there to get that sixth to seventh game. That’s all we’re trying to do,” added James.
For the Chargers the goal remains the same. The team is focused on their goals one day at a time. The mission for running back Kimani Vidal is the same.
“We know we have what it takes to make the playoff. It’s in our hands and we’re just trying to go out there and win every week,” said Vidal.
Vidal play has been essential to the Chargers success. He stepped up and filled the void when running back Omarion Hampton went down with an injury earlier in the season.
The Chargers got a bit of bad news with the win over the Raiders. Quarterback Justin Herbert suffered an injury to his non-throwing hand. He was able to finish the game, but is scheduled to have surgery. The timetable for how long he may possibly be sidelined in unknown. However, Herbert is conducting himself as if his playing in the Monday night match up agains the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Chargers have proved to be a resilient group all season, with Herbert setting the tone. He’s focused on the team’s mission for the rest of the season.
“I think it’s just week by week. We have to do our job, especially when we play on Sundays. All we can control is our attitude, our effort and how we take care of business. Anything outside of that is out of our control. You can monitor it, but you can’t do too much to change it,” said Herbert.
Up next for the Chargers are the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. Although the Eagles have been inconsistent, they present a tough match up of the Chargers. With an identical record of 8-4, the Eagles are currently in first place in the NFC East.
The Chargers will attempt to stay in the win column and secure their spot in the post-season when the host Philadelphia Eagles at SoFi Stadium for a Monday Night Prime Time match up on December 8
