LA Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke to the media on Wednesday after the team's 16-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. It was the franchise's first season divisional sweep of the Chiefs since 2013.
After a question about how often the Chargers are currently running the football in the first half, Harbaugh said that he likes the way the offense is playing right now. Statistically speaking, it's been a struggle. The Chargers have managed just 349 passing yards in their last two games combined. Between those two games, the Chargers are averaging under four yards per rush attempt (3.92).
Asked by ESPN's Kris Rhim on what he liked about the offense recently, Harbaugh had this to say:
"Well the last two games, the Chiefs and the Eagles-I think they would've loved to have our offensive production in those two games," Harbaugh said. "And those are really, really good teams," Harbaugh said. "Don't you think the Eagles would've rather had our offensive production or theirs? The Chiefs... ours or theirs? And against two really good defenses."
Harbaugh ultimately boiled it down to the wins the Chargers got in those two games with the phrase, "winning football".
Jim Harbaugh is happy with Greg Roman and the Chargers offense
Harbaugh was then asked about a comment quarterback Justin Herbert made after the Eagles game in which he called the Chargers' offensive performance that night as "uncharacteristic". Harbaugh's response: "I would say, 'Justin, probably the other quarterback would've much rather had the game you had'."
Via ESPN win rate stats, blocking has been a struggle in both the passing and running games all season. In pass block win rate, the Chargers rank 32nd heading into Week 16. In run block win rate, they rank 31st.
Harbaugh is by no means wrong that the Chargers are winning games. But one has to wonder if any of their next three games (or a potential playoff game) will require them to score more than they have been.
The Chargers are 19th in points per game this season at 22.5. That's balanced out by being the ninth-best points per game defense in the league at 20.3 points allowed this year. Over their last three games, the defense has stepped up-the Chargers are tied with the Eagles, Texans, and Bears in points allowed per game since their bye week at 15.3.
On the Cowboys game this week, Harbaugh said that Dallas is arguably the best offense they've played all season. Dallas is fourth in the NFL in points per game (29.1) and first in yards per game (396.9).
The storyline to watch for the remainder of the regular season is if the Chargers can get their offense going again before the playoffs. Los Angeles will at some point have to go through top 10 offenses like New England or Buffalo. The No. 1 seed Denver Broncos are top 10 in offensive yards per game and have the third-best scoring defense in the league at under 19 points allowed per game.