Welcome back to the Chargers Mailbag!
We'll run a Mailbag each week during the regular season. Send in submissions for the Mailbag on Twitter @EricLSmith or by email at eric.smith@chargers.nfl.com.
Off we go...
Oh yes, the vibes are high.
And how can they not be after a 2-0 start, with both wins coming in the division?
However, the Chargers have also made it clear that they have more work to do and more goals to accomplish than just winning their first two games of the season.
Remember that the Bolts started 2-0 a year ago but then lost two straight and had to fight their way into a Wild Card spot the rest of the way.
That's why what Tuli Tuipulotu told me after Monday night's game is so important.
"Keep stacking," Tuipulotu said.
The Chargers are not satisfied right now, but they are certainly pleased with how all three phases have played thus far.
Defensively, Jesse Minter's group is playing lights out, especially against the pass. I'd list off some key stats here but there's so many that I compiled them in my weekly 3 Stats to Know article.
Offensively, it's very evident that Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman has full trust in Justin Herbert by how often the Bolts are throwing the ball early and often in games.
And special teams has been its usual steady and consistent self under Ryan Ficken.
There was a lot of talk this offseason about how much more confident everyone was in Year 2 of the Jim Harbaugh Era, although Harbaugh himself chose to use the word "confident" instead.
I think we all see that playing out in front of us through two games. The Chargers are playing fast, physical and relentless ... and look like one of the league's top teams right now.
We'll find out more later Wednesday when Harbaugh goes to the podium.
But for those who need a quick recap, Mack injured his elbow making a tackle on the final play of the first quarter in Las Vegas.
He went to the blue medical tent and later returned to the sideline wearing an arm sling, which he was still wearing in the postgame locker room. Harbaugh said after the game that Mack was going to get imaging done Tuesday.
So, that means more of an update from Harbaugh at his usual Wednesday press conference.
If Mack does miss any time, the onus would fall on Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree as the two starters. Tuipulotu had a great game Monday night, especially against the run.
Let's just hope Mack potentially doesn't miss too much time going forward.
Who has been your unsung hero through two games? (Jackson via email)
This is an easy answer for me: the offensive line.
Way back on August 28, we put that group at the top of our 5 most important questions story, mostly because the loss of Rashawn Slater for the season meant the line was in flux a little bit based on what the projected lineup was.
But through two games, give plenty of kudos to the starting unit of Joe Alt, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton and Trey Pipkins III.
How solid has this group been?
Herbert has been pressured on just nine percent of plays this season, which is the lowest among 34 quarterbacks that qualify. The league average, by the way, is 19 percent.
Alt has been a All-Pro level left tackle, Johnson and Bozeman have been solid along the interior and Becton has helped elevate the entire unit with his presence, play and personaity.
And Pipkins was downright stellar against Maxx Crosby and the Raiders front in primetime.
According to Pro Football Focus, Pipkins didn't allow a single pressure in 32 pass-blocking snaps on Monday night. He also posted a PFF pass-block grade of 84.0, which was the second-highest mark of his career.
As mentioned above, Roman has put the offense in Herbert's hands so far this season as the Bolts rank seventh in first-down pass percentage at 64.86.
Roman obviously has belief in Herbert to deliver in the pocket, but that mindset doesn't happen without full confidence in the offensive line, too.
This group has been an unheralded but very key reason why the Chargers have started 2-0.
What are our chances to win the AFC West if we beat the Broncos on Sunday? (Josh via email)
Speaking of that 2-0 start ... we'll end this Mailbag by diving into some numbers on it.
Prior to Harbaugh's arrival, the Bolts most recent 2-0 start was in 2012. If the Chargers win Sunday, it would be the Bolts first 3-0 start since 2002.
And while the calendar hasn't flipped to October yet, getting to 3-0 would be huge for the Chargers in terms of both playoff and AFC West odds.
According to data compiled by the NFL, teams that start 3-0 since 1990 make the playoffs 75.3 percent of the time and win their division 51.2 percent of the time.
Teams that open 2-1? They make the playoffs 55.4 percent of the time and win their division 32.4 percent of the time.
So yeah, Week 3 is a big one in terms of the Bolts being able to boost both playoff and AFC West odds.
But much like the message we started this Mailbag with, a potential 3-0 start is nice but doesn't mean much if you can't build on it.
The AFC West looks like it will be a grueling race to the finish, even with the Chiefs sitting at 0-2.
There's a lot of work to be done continuing Sunday at home against Denver.
