NFL world wakes up to Chargers as a serious playoff threat

The Los Angeles Chargers are firmly on track for a playoff push in the first year of Jim Harbaugh.

Those Chargers look good in the current playoff standings after the Week 10 win over the Tennessee Titans. But with the Kansas City Chiefs still undefeated in the AFC West, the Chargers will need to make the most out of conference matchups against Cincinnati and Baltimore over the next two weeks.

But now that the Chargers are 6-3, Justin Herbert is fully healthy and the team has won four of five since the bye, most are starting to wake up to the possibility of a run for Harbaugh despite this being a soft rebuilding year.

It helps that Herbert is elite and the Jesse Minter-coordinated defense is one of the NFL's best, of course—two ingredients that go quite far in the cold weather and when the playoffs begin.

Here’s a quick look at some reactions to what Chargers fans already knew.

This Chargers team has me fully believing in a run this season.

Offense is starting to gel and the defense has been great all season. Huge matchup against the Bengals offense this week but if they can slow down that crazy offense, we are going DEEP in the playoffs #BoltUp
— OpTic Di3seL (@Di3seL_) November 11, 2024

The Chargers have a 89% chance of making the playoffs 9 weeks through the 2024 NFL season. pic.twitter.com/1BPTAZ7aYg
— ًBoltUpYo (@BoltUpYo) November 7, 2024

Jim Harbaugh is going to get the #Chargers into the playoffs, isn’t he?

Amazing how much a competent, quality coach can change things…especially when the QB is already in place.
— Rob (@robg0927) November 10, 2024

Not saying Chargers are winning the Super Bowl or anything but it's amazing how quickly Jim Harbaugh's coaching starts to work everywhere he goes. You see the form, technically sound approach instantly. Guy's a hell of a football coach #DTL

Edit: Funny timing, but in general
— Allan Bell (@AllanGBell) November 10, 2024

Chargers got it going right now. Schedule has been soft, but love how they play. Physical o-line, run it up your ass, Herbert making a big throw whenever necessary. And the #1 defense. Watch out
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) November 11, 2024