5 major observations from Chargers' win in Jim Harbaugh's NFL return

4. The Chargers' defensive front is among the best in the league

After three years of watching the defense play at a subpar level under Brandon Staley, it was refreshing to see the defense against the Raiders. As already mentioned, the team was flying around with an energy that had not been seen in years and that was a big reason for the success.

However, the fundamental reason for the Chargers' defensive success on Sunday was the success of the pass rush. We all knew how hyped the pass rush was heading into the season but now that fans have seen it with their own eyes it is obvious just how dangerous it is.

The edge-rusher room is absolutely loaded with the likes of Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree. Bosa was particularly impressive in the game while Mack continued his trend of logging more than one sack against his former team.

The interior defensive line was also just as menacing and that is a big change from years prior. Not only were the Chargers able to control the running game but the team was able to generate pressure from the inside with Morgan Fox even logging half a sack alongside Bosa.

The most important position in winning a Super Bowl is quarterback. The second most important is the defensive front, as that is the unit that keeps the other quarterback at bay. On Sunday, the Chargers proved that the team is as good as it looks on paper in the latter.

5. A 3-0 start is absolutely on the table for the Chargers

Finally, an observation that looks ahead.

The Raiders are by no means elite competition and it is not like the Chargers just handed the Kansas City Chiefs a loss in Week 1. With one of the worst quarterback situations in the league, the Raiders have a real shot at having a top-five pick if the team stacks up losses in the early part of the calendar.

That being said, the Raiders still have talent and from top-to-bottom, they might be more talented than the next two teams the Chargers play. Next week the Chargers are on the road to take on the Carolina Panthers, who got absolutely walloped by a New Orleans Saints team that probably isn't as good as the final score indicates.

Bryce Young is going to have a long day against this Chargers' defensive front while Carolina's defense does not match up to Las Vegas' defense. As long as the Chargers don't give the game away (which is less likely with Harbaugh coaching) then it should be a relatively smooth road win.

The Chargers then have another road game against a team with a strong front seven, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh tore up the Atlanta Falcons' offensive line in Week 1 and as daunting as that is, the Chargers proved in Week 1 that the team can hold up against a strong defensive front and outlast the opposition.

Plus, the Steelers are as bad if not worse offensively than the Raiders. Whether it is Russell Wilson or Justin Fields the quarterback situation is not great and the weapons are not much better. After all, the Raiders at least scored a touchdown in Week 1.

Anything can happen on any given Sunday but after seeing the Bolts fly around in Week 1, it is hard to see the team with a loss when it heads into Week 4 against the Chiefs.