While the Los Angeles Chargers could have landed in any one of the three wild-card positions on the AFC side of the playoff bracket in Week 18, nothing they needed to happen to claim the fifth or sixth slot actually happened.
Of course, the Bolts didn't really try to take care of their own business, as Jim Harbaugh rested several starters in what turned into a 19-3 loss to the Denver Broncos, who claimed the No. 1 seed with the win. And with the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills winning their respective regular-season finales, the Chargers ultimately ended up as the No. 7 seed and are now set to take on the second-seeded New England Patriots in the Wild Card Round on Sunday night in Foxborough.
Before any matchup, postseason or otherwise, teams obviously do their homework in an effort to figure out the tendencies of the team they're playing. But an aspect of preparation that often gets overlooked is attempting to figure out the tendencies of the officiating crew, which is more important than some might think.
As far as Sunday's matchup is concerned, the head referee assigned to this primetime contest between the Bolts and Pats is none other than 19-year veteran Ron Torbert, who has become one of the most high-profile officials in the league.
The Chargers haven't actually seen him since Week 15 of the 2023 season, a game most probably remember, as that was the night Los Angeles was blown out by the Las Vegas Raiders, 63-21, a loss that got head coach Brandon Staley and GM Tom Telesco fired the next day.
Chargers' last game with Ron Tolbert was a mess, but it favors LA in the NFL Playoffs
No, Torbert had nothing to do with that defeat, but it was worth noting. As for Sunday, Harbaugh & Co. could conceivably benefit from having him on the field, as it could allow the Chargers' defensive backs to be a bit more physical in their attempt to slow down NFL MVP candidate Drake Maye and the Patriots' potent passing attack that ranked fourth in the NFL during the regular season at 250.5 yards per game.
In 16 games this season, Torbert's crew called defensive pass interference just nine times, the lowest total in the league. Now, it's not as if the Chargers have had major issues in this area, as they were flagged for DPI just eight times for 103 yards during the regular season.
Nevertheless, perhaps being able to body the New England receiving corps of Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, and Hunter Henry will be beneficial. Perhaps Torbert will also be a little light on illegal contact, as it was an IC penalty on Tarheeb Still against the Texans in Week 17 that robbed the Chargers of playing the Broncos for the AFC West title in Week 18, but we're certainly not still angry about that at all.
Getting back to New England, Maye led the NFL during the regular season in yards gained per pass attempt (8.9), adjusted yards gained per pass attempt (9.46), net yards gained per pass attempt (7.78), and adjusted net yards gained per pass attempt (8.26). So, he obviously has no problem throwing the ball down the field.
So, again, the ability to be more physical helps the Chargers, especially if Donte Jackson's ankle isn't at 100 percent, as that would naturally hinder his ability to keep up with the Pats' speedy wideouts.
Now, this obviously works both ways, so Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, and the rest of LA's receivers could be bodied more as well. And it does need to be noted that not all of Torbert's usual partners will be alongside him, as the NFL typically assembles all-star crews for postseason contests. But as Torbert is still the head referee, one would assume his particular tendencies will still play out with the rest of his team.
This guarantees nothing, of course, but the Chargers need any help they can get.