The Chargers are mere hours away from the last regular season kickoff of the 2024-2025 season.
For many fans, the Bolts are playing with house money. They’ve reached the double-digit win threshold and playoff birth that many saw as the primary goal for Jim Harbaugh’s inaugural year as head coach. The late success and offensive improvement has adjusted expectations for many, however, and now the fanbase is clamoring to see some postseason success.
Before that success can be had, they have to get through this Week 18 matchup, against a team the Chargers played so physically in the season opener an on-field brawl broke out. This could have been an opportunity to rest many of the starters as well, but with the Steelers dropping a game to the Bengals yesterday, the #5 seed is officially in play. Securing a win against the Raiders will ensure the Chargers play the Houston Texans, the team the Chargers likely matchup against the best out of the division winners.
This storyline makes the Raiders matchup that much more interesting. Rashawn Slater has already been announced as inactive… but how many more starters will Jim Harbaugh rest? Will he go for the jugular to secure an impressive 11-win season – which in August would have been the absolute ceiling for even the most optimistic of fans – and secure the #5 seed in the process, or will he prioritize the health of his stars and focus on beating whatever team is in front of him next week?
Sound off in the comments below, StormCloud. Let’s have a fun regular season finale!
So I wanted Harbaugh not to play starters yesterday. McConkey, Herbert, Dissly and Dobbins needed to be kept healthy for the Wild Card game, even if it meant playing the Ravens.
Just goes to show you what I know. Harbaugh played starters and got away with a mostly clean sheet on injuries. And the offense rolled (except for some first half red zone fails). Justin Herbert (aka Son of Odin, God of Thunder-credit to Dan in Deigo) showed the league he can make throws and change a game like no other.
Two takes that will probably get me pummeled here. First, as good as this team is, it will probably be the worst team roster in the next 3 years or so talent-wise. And look at what this team has accomplished this year with a shoestring budget. Because they believe.
Second, I really want the team to win Saturday, not only because I believe in the team and want the win above all else, but to end the blasphemy about the Son of Odin. He’s a generational talent, but he and the team needs to make good on that talent. Stake your claim and make your mark. Go to Houston and take their hearts out. The organization, coaches, families and fans are with you.
“There is no tomorrow!!!”
BTFU
Great overall team win vs a shitty Raider team.
The Chargers will now be favored vs. the Texans. Ready to see what this team has prepared for the playoff run. I expect the Broncos will lose Buffalo and Pittsburg will lose to the Ravens. If the Chargers can beat the Texans, it’s likely they’ll face a well rested Chief team in round 2. If they can beat the Chiefs (and the refs). It’s Buffalo or the Ravens (my preference is Buffalo) to get to the SB.
Will the Chargers make a SB run this season? The odds are against them. However, I think this team is the best prepared team to win in the playoffs since Norv took Marty’s Chargers deep into the playoffs in 2007 (that was a super bowl team until the Titans went knee hunting and tore up both Rivers and Merriman’s knees – FUCK YOU Jeff Fisher!).
Logged in just to say there are not enough FUs in the world to dump on Jeff Fisher for that. How the league didn’t do anything about it is beyond comprehension.
Great photo on X of you and the TDU boys Kev. Gents, if I ever make it “down south" I will let you know.
Sorry I was out. Life called.
Simultaneous possession but only James had his feet in bounds. Interception?
However it gets caught is OK by me.
Really disappointing in the red zone today. First and goal from the one = FG?
Yea, not very creative.
This IOL could move a pop Warner DL
Dunno what the refs had to huddle about there. That was clearly pass interference.
Let’s just hope we get out of this game as healthy as possible
NGL. Those Bronco throwbacks are sweet
Don’t want anyone to get hurt, but Pipkins shouldn’t be playing anyway.
Agree but what’s the alternative
Salyer?
Wow. Find me another QB who could put that ball in there to Dissly
That was a laser.
@nickcoulter That throw to Dissly got me and my two non-Bolt fan buddies jumped to our feet in amazement. That was incredible to say the least. I don’t think there’s anybody else in the league capable of making such an insane throw. Maybe Josh Allen? Not so sure with such accuracy.
Let’s go boys, finish strong!!!!!! Let’s start this half with some points!
Let’s go Bolts. 60 min to Houston!!!
Looks like the Chiefs are handing Denver their playoff spot. Probably smart on their part keeping the Bengals out of the playoffs.
Love it. Mc conkey streaking across the back of the end zone for the 2-pt, and JH finds him.
Man, how about QJ? Nine catches, no drops.
Pretty amazing. 9 catches on 9 targets.
He should have gotten out of bounds on the play before the half (but I do like him playing like a larger, physical receiver).
QJ should have gone out of bounds on that 1st catch
TD wouldr be huge here!
Chargers can’t catch a break. Guy tackled McConkey before the ball got there.
Yeah that was pretty obvious
Boy, this doesn’t feel good at all. First and goal at the 6 and…..that?
Although that was a chicken-sit holding call on Pipkins.
That tackle looked very awkward for Dobbins. Don’t think we’ll see him again today
I hope he can play. Edwards isn’t playing, and that would leave us pretty one-dimensional.
He’s back in. Thank god, really thought he was done
Well, we are going to see whether this team has truly changed. This is exactly the kind of game that they historically lose – when they have real consequences on the line.
Do we let the hopeless Raiders send us to Baltimore instead of Houston?
This season has already had a couple of examples of true change. This is another opportunity for them to show it. Would be nice for them to take care of business as quickly as possible
Jeez, absolutely no presssure on this scrub quarterback…
QJ looks happy today
Slow start on offense. Is the Slater inactive injury related or just plain rest?
Apparently caution, his knee felt funny. O-line predictably looking a bit sloppy.
Yeah, that sounds like a less than ideal way to start a game. Hopefully they can overcome it. Defense better be ready to carry the load today.