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How NFL Pundits View the Chargers Ahead of 2025 NFL Playoffs

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The Chargers 2025 playoff debut is inching closer.

With the Bolts set to go on the road in a couple of days, the team's Wild Card matchup with the Patriots is one to watch this weekend.

And as the Chargers prepare their postseason journey, pundits examined why they could go on a run this month.

The Athletic's Austin Mock examined the reasons why each of this year’s playoff teams will win the Super Bowl and why they won't.

For the Chargers, why they can win is simple — a Head Coach (Jim Harbaugh) and quarterback (Justin Herbert) that gives them a chance to make some noise.

Mock wrote:

Because Herbert is awesome, and coach Jim Harbaugh knows how to win football games, and if you pair those two with a good defense, anything is possible. Despite having one of the worst offensive lines in football this season (due to injuries), the Chargers still won 11 games. They ranked 24th in EPA/play and 20th in success rate on offense, so if they can squeeze out any more production from the offense, they'll have a chance to make a run. If you're banking on anything, bank on Herbert's ability to put his team on his back and Harbaugh's success as a head coach. The Chargers are 6-2 in one-score games, and while that usually reverts to 50-50 in the postseason, I am willing to give Herbert and Harbaugh the benefit of the doubt in those situations because we have seen elite quarterback and head coach combinations thrive in the past.

Relive the Chargers' postseason appearances through images from playoff games, highlighting the moments that defined the team in the NFL playoffs.

As Mock mentioned, the team has shown the pedigree to win tough, close games with a defense and that could benefit them in January. And for why they couldn't he pointed to the Bolts offensive line, who has battled injuries this year.

The Chargers have shown the ability to string together wins against some of the tougher teams in the league, look no further than the last month of the season in their playoff push.

It's why NFL.com believes they could be a playoff sleeper team that could come of nowhere and surprise the league this postseason.

Ali Bhanpuri wrote:

The Bolts, with several noteworthy wins under their belt too, could also score an early-round upset (at Patriots). But it will be very hard for L.A. and its banged-up O-line to advance past defenses like the ones in Denver or Houston, which can consistently wreak havoc on opposing passers.

The Chargers and Patriots play Sunday night on Wild Card Weekend. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. (PT).

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