Jim Harbaugh just led the LA Chargers to their most defining win since he returned to the NFL in 2024. It wasn't pretty, but the Chargers found a way to upset the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles 22-19 in overtime.
One week after having surgery on his fractured left hand, Justin Herbert fought through a historic level of pressure and did just enough to keep the Chargers in the game. From there, much like was the case all night, the defense took care of business and clinched the win.
The Chargers move to 9-4 on the season with the win, putting the Bolts firmly in control of their own destiny the rest of the way. With the win, the Chargers now have a 72% chance of making the playoffs in a crowded AFC.
Chargers proved they are true Super Bowl contenders with big win over Eagles
While the Chargers won twice as many games as they lost heading into Monday's game, there were questions about whether or not this team could legitimately make a run at the Lombardi Trophy. After all, the Chargers down to practice-squad offensive tackles and have a quarterback with a broken left hand.
Monday's win against the Eagles didn't just prove the Chargers can hang with Super Bowl-caliber teams, it proved the Bolts are a legitimate contender themselves. Yes, there is a lot of work that needs to be done, especially with a banged-up offensive line and quarterback, but the Chargers are clearly capable.
This has never been more important than this season, where the AFC is literally anyone's for the taking. There isn't a single front-runner in the AFC the Chargers have to be afraid of. The two best teams in the conference have both played padded schedules. The Buffalo Bills have lost several stinkers. The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens may not even make the playoffs.
Heck, the Chargers already beat the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Denver Broncos. And with a win over the Eagles, winning the AFC West is not totally out of the picture. Denver has a two-game cushion, sure, but the Broncos have a taxing remaining schedule and the Chargers would secure the season tiebreaker with a win in Week 18.
Chargers fans can't put the cart before the horse. The team still needs to show up in six days at Arrowhead to take on a Chiefs team that has never been hungrier. But with Monday night's win, the Chargers proved that they are no longer the prey. They are no longer the team that contending teams can feast on because of holes in the roster.
The Chargers aren't the hunted. They are the hunter. And on Monday night, the same quarterback who just led the Eagles to the Super Bowl was their victim.