Chargers: Five reasons they still make the playoffs

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers calls out a play during the fourth quarter in a 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos at Dignity Health Sports Park on October 06, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers calls out a play during the fourth quarter in a 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos at Dignity Health Sports Park on October 06, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Anthony Lynn of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at StubHub Center on November 25, 2018, in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Anthony Lynn of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at StubHub Center on November 25, 2018, in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Things seem bleak for the Los Angeles Chargers sitting at 2-3, but there’s still a decently high chance at making a playoff run, despite injuries and early struggles.

The Chargers have dug themselves into a bit of a hole this season with a 2-3 start. Injuries, poor offensive play, as well as some bad situational football are to blame for this situation, amongst other things. While many fans feel like it may be another year of Chargers football gone by the wayside without much to show for it already, there are reasons for optimism. Here are five reasons to still be confident in the Chargers making the playoffs.

Anthony Lynn‘s history

In Anthony Lynn’s first two seasons as the head coach, the Chargers have been a team that’s improved as the season has gone on as opposed to a team red-hot from the beginning. In 2017, the team started 0-4 before finishing 9-7. In 2018 the Chargers found themselves at 2-2 and finished 12-4. That puts Lynn at a combined 19-5 over the last 12 games in his first two seasons.

One could argue that it’s a small sample size. And it might be. But in both of those seasons, Lynn dealt with problems that ailed the team that are similar to the ones they are having now. Injuries, kicking problems and inconsistent offensive output early are all issues Lynn had to deal with in early 2017 and 2018. The Chargers have always been a team that’s caught fire after the first month or so under Lynn, and with reinforcements coming from the injured reserve, there’s experience and a pedigree to believe he can do it again in 2019.