The Los Angeles Chargers enter 2025 determined to erase the sting of another Wild Card exit. Now in year two under Jim Harbaugh, the goal is clear: build on last season’s 11-6 record.
We preview the Chargers’ 2025 season and what must happen for the team to continue building on an above-average 2024.
How Will the Chargers Fare in 2025?
Late Game Play Must Improve by Herbert
Most NFL experts and fans would be surprised to know that the Chargers were the best team last season until the fourth quarter. Los Angeles was 12-3-2 entering the fourth quarter last year; only the Detroit Lions were better a season ago.
However, they finished the regular season at 11-6 because no other team fell apart more when it mattered most than the Bolts.
The bottom line is that Justin Herbert must pick up his performance in crunch time if this team wants to take the next step.
Herbert’s numbers weren’t the best in the fourth quarter last season, ranking toward the bottom half in:
- 25th in accuracy
- 25th in success rate
- 17th in yards per attempt
The Oregon quarterback is now just 6-13 in games decided by a field goal over the last four years. However, on the other side of it, there wasn’t much talent surrounding Herbert last season. His leading receiver was rookie Ladd McConkey, and after McConkey, there wasn’t much help for Herbert to go around.
Defense Must Play Better Against Top-Tier Quarterbacks
Let’s not sugarcoat it. The Chargers’ defense didn’t perform at a high level against the top quarterbacks on their schedule from last season.
Against the lower-tier quarterbacks, the defense played lights out and was 9-1.
Last year, the Chargers faced:
Bo Nix (twice)
Aidan O’Connell
In games with higher-tier quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Baker Mayfield, they went 1-5.
The numbers revealed how poor the defense was against elite quarterback talent.
- A 101 passer rating allowed
- 12 touchdowns, 3 interceptions
- +0.13 EPA per pass
The defense must rise to the occasion against the better competition if they want to continue to build on a team that was basically in a rebuild last season in year one of the Harbaugh era.
Offense Must Establish a Run Game
The run game last season for the Bolts was highly inconsistent. It was led by JK Dobbins, who was in consideration for Comeback Player of the Year and has since departed for the Denver Broncos.
The Chargers addressed the position by drafting running back Omarion Hampton in the first round and brought in free agent Najee Harris to deliver a solid 1-2 punch.
However, the numbers were towards the bottom of the league with a healthy offensive line for the majority of the season.
These were the numbers from last year.
- 29th in success rate on early downs
- 29th in yards per carry
- 25th in yards before contact
Now, let’s preview the Chargers’ season schedule and make a prediction.
Season Schedule Preview and Prediction
- Week 1 vs Kansas City Loss (Game in Brazil)
- Week 2 @ Las Vegas Win
- Week 3 vs Denver Win
- Week 4 @ New York Giants Loss
- Week 5 vs Washington Loss
- Week 6 @ Miami Win
- Week 7 vs Indianapolis Win
- Week 8 vs Minnesota Win
- Week 9 @ Tennessee Win
- Week 10 vs Pittsburgh Win
- Week 11 @ Jacksonville Win
- Week 12 Bye
- Week 13 vs Las Vegas Win
- Week 14 vs Philadelphia Loss
- Week 15 @ Kansas City Loss
- Week 16 @ Dallas Win
- Week 17 vs Houston Loss
- Week 18 @ Denver Loss
Record: 10-7, Make playoffs as Wild Card Team
The Chargers will have a similar season to last year’s. Los Angeles has too many question marks at offensive line and receiver. The loss of All-Pro Rashawn Slater could cause the offensive line to struggle against teams with exceptional pass rush. At receiver, the Chargers will be relying on rookies to help take on more of the workload, including Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert Smith. If Herbert can only rely on McConkey as a pass catcher, the offense will struggle again against the premier defenses in the league.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
