The Chargers rested their starters and finished 11-6 after a 19-3 loss to the Broncos in Week 18.

Here are five takeaways from Week 18.

1. Onto the playoffs

It's time for the playoffs.

The Chargers ended the 2025 regular-season in Denver but will now shift their focus to New England as the Bolts have drawn the Patriots in the Wild Card Round of the 2025 NFL playoffs.

"New England... all focus needs to be on that," Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said postgame. "That's the type of game that does define your season. Put our focus and attention is on that."

Khalil Mack added: "I feel like the possibilities are endless when you take a step back and try to look at the big picture. Everybody is striving to get that win and get to the big game. That's always the thought process, but got to focus on this one game first. Win or go home."

As for Week 18, the Chargers chose to rest their primary starters and allow plenty of reserves and youngsters the chance to play.

"Would've liked to have won the game," Harbaugh said. "Nope, all focus on playing the Patriots, getting ready for that game."

Even so, Harbaugh said he was proud of his team's effort in all phases, especially on defense as the unit allowed just 12 points against a Denver offense that featured all of their starters.

The Broncos offense didn't find the end zone Sunday and instead were forced to settle for four field goals. Denver's lone touchdown came on a defensive pick 6.

Denver also went just 5-of-15 on third down, gained only 240 yards and didn't score a touchdown on three trips inside the red zone.

"Did a heck of a job on third down executing the plan," Harbaugh said. "They didn't score a touchdown on offense. Some of those were in our own zone there, at the 20-yard line.

"Red-zone defense I thought was really good. Really pleased with that, the way the defense played," Harbaugh added.

Tony Jefferson said: "Everybody fights, everybody is on edge ready to go. It was an opportunity for a lot of guys. We kept them out of the end zone, obviously when you look back there's plays you want to have back and be better at. I thought everybody fought hard, proud of everybody. Defense, young guys, everybody stepped up."

Even though Mack didn't play, he said the starting defense will use Sunday's effort as inspiration going forward.

"It's going to have a lasting effect on us going into the next game," Mack said.

That game will be in the Wild Card Round against the Patriots.

"It's a whole new season," Jefferson said. "All focus is on that, going to New England and getting ready to go get a dub."

Keenan Allen added: "Everything is at stake."

2. Eboigbe gets 2 sacks

Justin Eboigbe ended Year 2 on a high note.

The Chargers second-year defensive lineman notched a pair of sacks Sunday to give him 6.0 on the season.

Not bad for a guy who only played 26 defensive snaps in his rookie season.

"I really thought he was one of the players that's really been ascending up after the game, against the Texans," Harbaugh said. "Really excited for him to get the start and play well. Kind of figured he would. He stacked another really big game."

Eboigbe said he was proud of his growth during the 2025 season and credited his preparation in helping showcase his weekly growth.

"I would say just opportunity," said Eboigbe, a 2024 fourth-round pick. "Opportunity comes your way, you have to make the most of it.

"It's a blessing to be called upon and be able to get those reps because at the end of the day, it's a lot of people that could be on that field and have the same situation happen to them," Eboigbe added. "Just making the most of it. That could be anybody that could be there."

3. Lance gets the start

Trey Lance’s first start with the Bolts in Denver had its highs and lows in what was just his sixth career start.

The 25-year-old finished the game 20-of-44 passing for 136 yards along a fumble and an interception, one that went off the hands of the receiver and was taken the other way for the only touchdown of the day from either side.

The Chargers Head Coach assessed his performance this afternoon.

"I thought he competed, fought," Harbaugh said. "Used his legs well, got us some first downs against a very good defense.

"I thought the interception could have been caught. A couple of those breaks that went against us, even the sack fumble. Can't put that on him," Harbaugh added. "I liked it, I liked the way he played. Onward, got an opportunity and played good I thought."

Lance's legs proved to be a difference maker, especially in the second half as he was the Bolts leading rusher totaling 69 yards.

"Ups and downs. I feel like I'll have a better idea, as always, after I watch it," Lance said. "How I feel right now, I feel like I could have used my legs a little bit more early in the first half. We had opportunities, defense kept us in the game."

The Bolts offense finished the afternoon with 217 net yards, slightly behind the 240 from the Broncos.

"I felt really good, felt good about the guys I was going out there with," Lance said. "Those guys played super hard up front. Tight ends, running backs ... super thankful for those guys.

"I know they had my back all week and were excited and confident going in," Lance added. "I just didn't make enough plays and didn't keep us on the field long enough."

4. Allen secures the bag

Allen made himself some extra money on Sunday.

A million dollars, to be exact.

The veteran wide receiver entered the game needed six receptions to hit $750,000 in incentives, and could add $250,000 to that if had at least nine receiving yards.

Allen hit both marks in Denver as he finished with seven catches for 36 yards.

"It was fun, selfishly," Allen said. "No dub, but definitely take that selfishly."

Allen celebrated accordingly after hitting the marks.

5. Wax shines on defense in Denver

Marlowe Wax didn't earn the start on Sunday.

But the undrafted rookie free agent turned some heads with a strong performance against the Broncos.

"It felt great. Been waiting on it all year, preparing every single week, watching my vets in front of me go out and ball. It felt great," Wax said.

Wax, who was among the Bolts preseason standouts, made the Chargers 53-man roster after not getting drafted out of Syracuse.

He then tallied six total tackles on Sunday, including a key fourth-quarter stop on third-and-1 that forced a Denver punt in the fourth quarter.

"Marlowe Wax, he had the [third]-down stop, but he had three other good plays, two that I saw," Harbaugh said.