The LA Chargers had to overcome more injuries than any other team in the league this season. However, the Bolts started to get healthy at the perfect time and were able to clinch a playoff spot with a Week 16 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Following Week 16, there were only two more big-name players that fans were waiting to return; All-Pro left tackle Rashawn Slater and All-Pro edge rusher Joey Bosa.
After weeks of speculation and the timeline not being completely clear, Chargers fans were given the news they were waiting for on Thursday. Joey Bosa has been designated to return from the IR, giving him a chance of playing in Week 17 against the LA Rams.
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 29, 2022
Joey Bosa returning makes this Chargers' defense legitimately scary.
Regardless of how big of a role Joey Bosa has in Week 17 against the Rams, he will have plenty of time to get his legs back under him and be ready to make a massive impact in the playoffs in three weeks. This makes the Chargers' defense legitimately scary.
Brandon Staley's defense has been great since the bye week and has been even better over the last three weeks. The Chargers are allowing just over 18 points pre game since the bye week and have the best defensive third-down conversion rate in the league over the last three weeks.
A struggling pass rush has finally started to come into its own and that is only going to improve with Bosa back in the mix. Teams are not going to be able to key in on Khalil Mack as they were before with Bosa in the lineup. That honor will go to Bosa, who will open the door for Mack to make a difference.
Let's not forget that Mack had four sacks in the two full games that Bosa played in Week 1 and 2. Even if Bosa himself is not logging huge pressure numbers, his presence on the defensive line is going to drastically improve the pass rush and run defense down the stretch.
There is a lot of work that needs to be done but the Chargers are starting to look like the team that nobody else wants to see in the playoffs. With Bosa back in the fold, this defense could legitimately be one of the best in the entire AFC playoff picture.