The Chargers defense has been one of the elite units in the NFL through the early part of the season.
And Sunday against the Broncos, they were able to show they can play at that level in crunch time.
"At our best when our best was needed most," Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said postgame.
The Bolts defense stepped up big time, particularly in the fourth quarter, in the 23-20 come from behind victory over the Broncos in Week 3.
The overall numbers look the part — only 265 net yards allowed while Denver was just 2-of-13 on third downs and managed just nine total first downs in the game.
But with their backs against the wall down in the final quarter, the defense was able to put Justin Herbert and the offense in positions to pull out the victory at home.
"Just trusting our preparation," said safety Derwin James, Jr., who led the team with 12 tackles and four tackles for loss. "We didn't felt like in the fourth quarter, when it got tight, that we needed to do anything different. That felt good with the foundation we built, the culture.
"We always had a feeling we were going to win," James added.
Time and time again the defense responded even when things didn't go their way, and they were up to the challenge at multiple points in the afternoon.
The unit played an almost flawless first half, up until the Broncos scored on an explosive play on a fourth down near midfield to get some points before halftime.
Denver then came out of halftime once again with a quick score to take a 14-10 lead, before tacking on another three points following a turnover.
"That's on us," James said. "I feel like coach made a good call, we just got to communicate it to everybody. We know it's loud, everybody is standing. We just got to communicate and we'll get that cleaned up."
He later added: "We got to be better on our part, we know we're a tough defense to play against. We'll be ready. I have all the confidence in the world in these guys."
Even in the midst of their first deficit of the young season, however, the confidence never wavered amongst themselves.
The Chargers defense would allow just three more points and three first downs in the final 27 minutes of the game.
It was just the ebbs and flows of the game — and the Bolts never let it get to them.
"That's just a credit to all of us sticking together and not getting rattled," Chargers defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand said. "Especially the swing of the game, it was crazy. The momentum was going back and forth so just that even keel, sticking together and getting the call and executing."
James added: "We knew we were going to make the plays when our number was called."
And perhaps no possessions were bigger than the final two that gave the offense a shot to win the game.
The defense knew exactly what time it was.
"We know the situation," safety Tony Jefferson said. "We know what we need to do, that's go out there and execute the gameplan. We've been in those situations in practice, we practice them. It's not like walking into something new we haven't seen.
"We're just ready for the moment," Jefferson added.
Denver's offense took the field with just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, and after a couple of penalties, the Bolts forced a quick three and out that took off just two minutes of game time.
Herbert and the offense did their thing from there, as he concluded a seven-play drive with a stellar connection with Keenan Allen.
With the SoFi Stadium crowd in a frenzy after tying the game, the defense took the field without having to say a thing about the moment in front of them.
"That's the thing about this team, everybody was just locked in," Hand said. "What's understood don't got to be explained.
"There was no worry," Hand added. "Just go out there and execute."
Another quick three and out set up the offense with a chance to win the game.
"That was huge. I feel like every time we needed a stop from our defense, they show up," McConkey said. "They've done it time and time again."
He later added: "They were like, 'We got you. We got a good defense, too. We're going to go get a stop and get the ball back for you.' They did just that."
The confidence is at a high level for all three phases of the Chargers.
"Just having that confidence," James said. "Nobody is worried, nobody is forcing anything. It feels good to have team complimentary football.
"Offense, they picked us up, defense, we picked them up, special teams picked everybody up," James added. "Complete team win."
