The turning point was clear.
Back in mid-October, the Chargers suffered a double-digit home loss to the Colts that dropped their record to 4-3.
The Bolts defense, seen as a pillar of the team entering the season, was struggling and ranked 25th in defensive EPA per play (0.037) after Week 7.
Since then? Jesse Minter’s group was nearly lights out on a weekly basis, producing a defensive EPA per play of -0.150 from Weeks 8 through 18.
As the Chargers look to make a deep run in the 2025 NFL playoffs, Minter is hoping to see the unit that showed up in the second half of the season.
"I think we've proven that we can play with anybody and be successful against anybody," the Chargers Defensive Coordinator said last week. "And also, we've proven to ourselves that if we're not detailed and not on our game then we cannot [play with anyone]."
Consistency in the NFL is perhaps the toughest thing to replicate. Any player or group can have a good game.
The challenge is putting together a string of two, four, eight or 17 — choose any number, really — strong games that define who you are.
The Chargers have shown that ability throughout the 2025 season.
From Weeks 1 through 7, the Bolts only produced one game in the top 10 of defensive EPA per play. But in Weeks 8 through 18, Minter's group had seven such instances, including three immediately after a Week 12 bye.
"I've talked about this a lot, but I think it's about trying to peak at the right time. I think at the bye week, I don't think a lot of people winning the next four games against the schedule that was out there," Minter said of games against the Raiders, Eagles, Chiefs and Cowboys.
"I think there were predictions that we might not make the playoffs at that point. I feel good that we're capable of going on a stretch and winning multiple games in a row, which you have to do this time of year to get where you want to go," Minter added.
The Chargers are the AFC's No. 7 seed as the NFL playoffs begin, meaning a date with the second-seeded Patriots and quarterback Drake Maye on Sunday night.
Yes, Justin Herbert has been elite all season, displaying a toughness that helped get the Chargers into the postseason. But the Bolts offense ranked 20th in EPA per play (-0.019) this season as the group battled injuries and attrition.
If the Chargers want to make a deep playoff run, the defense might need to lead the way.
Derwin James, Jr. recently delivered a similar message to his teammates.
"I told the guys to give me a month of your life," James said. "Give each other a month of your life. We can make a difference. Just lock in for a month and win some games."
But for all of the Chargers gaudy regular-season stats — the Bolts ranked in the top five in yards allowed per game, third-down defense, red-zone defense and first downs allowed per game — players know none of that matters if they can't deliver in the postseason.
"That's the whole point," Khalil Mack said. "You can be great in the regular season but it has to translate over to the postseason. That's the mark of a great team."
Veteran cornerback Donte Jackson went into detail on what mark the Chargers defense wants to leave.
"It's definitely one of those ones that's we want to always be remembered," Jackson said. "I think the thing that sticks out the most is just like how selfless guys are, man.
"We just have a bunch of guys who are just selfless, who just want to be a part of a great defense no matter what their role is," Jackson continued. "That is a big thing when you're talking about reaching the heights that you want to reach.
"When you're looking at championship defenses, from the Legion of Booms to the Broncos defense they had those years back, everybody just played for each other," Jackson added. "I think you see a lot of those similarities, for sure."
The Chargers defensive roster isn't loaded with star power that those outside the building would recognize.
Sure, Mack and James are household names. And you probably should lump Tuli Tuipulotu and his 13.0 sacks along with them.
But the majority of the Chargers defense features veterans who are on shorter contracts (Teair Tart, Tony Jefferson, Jackson, Denzel Perryman and Da'Shawn Hand), youngsters who are on the rise (Daiyan Henley, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart) or solid NFL players who might not have superstar status (Odafe Oweh and Elijah Molden).
Add them all up, however, and the Chargers have put together a unit that could be dangerous in the postseason.
"Really starts with the players, then Jesse's ability, our defensive coach's ability to put them in spots to make plays, to be most effective," Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said when asked what gives him confidence in the unit. "The understanding of the defense. I know there will be some wrinkles as well, those things mainly.
"Also, that confidence would be very player-drive, coach-driven, outstanding in our scheme, the way it's coached, the way it's taught," Harbaugh continued. "Really all the coaches over there, and Jesse is the one who leads it all.
"It's tight, it's sound, the scheme is great. Our players know it and coaches do a great job of putting the players in position to be successful," Harbaugh added. "Players, a lot of them could coach it, they know it so well. A lot of confidence in our defense."
The Chargers first test in the postseason will be a stiff one as Maye led all quarterbacks in EPA per play (0.313) in 2025.
Maye, just 23 years old, also put together 4,000-yard, 30-touchdown season with fewer than 10 interceptions. No other quarterback in NFL history had accomplished that feat prior to turning 25.
Sunday will be a battle of strength against strength, as the Chargers enter the playoffs on a heater as the Bolts haven't allowed more than 20 points since their bye.
"We've proven to ourselves that we can play really well against anybody, any competition and that we can play championship-level defense," Minter said. "But it takes us being really, really dialed in and connected and into the preparation. I'm excited to go into [the playoffs] where it truly becomes win or go home."
The Chargers defense wants to make sure the Bolts are playing next weekend … and perhaps beyond that.
"When I grew up, the model was that 'Defenses win championships.' I still think to this day that motto is still the same," James said.
Mack added: "Guys are going to give everything they've got. It's not even a thought for me. We're going to be ready for our moment."
