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...
THIS defense is what we saw at the beginning of the season when they looked like World Beaters. The bye week was key for the guys to get back to playing loose, fast, and physical. We know the floor, what's the ceiling for the defense? (JT via Twitter)
The ceiling is that the Chargers defense can lead this team to the Super Bowl.
No, I'm not kidding.
Derwin James, Jr. isn't either. Here's what he said postgame Sunday when asked about the defense.
"When I was a kid, they always said defense wins championships. That's my motto," James said. "I believe in this defense."
With the way the Bolts defense played Sunday against the Chiefs — coupled with how the group has looked since the bye week — that above statement is becoming more and more a potential.
Especially because Jesse Minter's unit is thriving against both the run and the pass of late.
Over the past three games, the Chargers run defense ranks first in EPA per rush (-0.292) and first in rushing success rate (30.6 percent).
Add that in with a back seven that currently ranks fourth in Pro Football Focus coverage grade (76.7) and the Chargers have the making of a complete defense.
They have veteran leaders such as Khalil Mack, James, Donte Jackson and Tony Jefferson. They have young stars such as Tuli Tuipulotu and Daiyan Henley.
And they have plenty of guys that may not be household names — Teair Tart, Da'Shawn Hand, Troy Dye, Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still — but help put together a defense that isn't afraid to be physical and hit you.
The Chargers were simply thumping people Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium when the temperatures were in the teens.
"I think when it comes to December, it's kind of mandatory," Jefferson said. "I've been in the league for a while and I know once it gets to this time of the year, physicality, the most physical team usually wins in this time.
"It's cold, it's brisk. I was in the AFC North, so I've had a lot of experience with this type of weather, what games be like," Jefferson added. "It kind of had that feel today, rivals going at it. Physicality, I think is on the forefront of everybody's mind, especially December."
To me, Week 15 in Kansas City felt like a playoff game: low scoring, gritty and cold.
And the Bolts defense delivered when it mattered most, including a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions.
Leading by three points, the Chargers needed to make one final stand. It was a scenario they could very well be in if they find themselves in the postseason.
The Bolts rose to the challenge.
"These past few weeks we've been trying to prove to ourselves more than anybody else outside the building who we are, what our identity is. And that identity that we're chasing is a playoff defense," Henley said. "And so we have to be in moments like this to prove that to ourselves that we can be a playoff defense.
"And so week-in and week-out, we try to consistently show that. And that's what you see out there as a team that's preparing for the playoffs and playing like it's the playoffs," Henley added.
And a team that can also go far in the playoffs.
The Chargers can clinch a playoff spot this weekend, right? (Brady via email)
Correct.
I wrote last week that Week 17 was the earliest I thought possible but the it turns out a Chargers playoff clinch scenario can actually happen in Week 16.
To recap, here is how the Chargers can punch their ticket to the playoffs.
Scenario No. 1: The Chargers beat the Cowboys and the Texans lose or tie against the Raiders.
Scenario No. 2: The Chargers beat or tie the Cowboys and the Colts lose to the 49ers.
Scenario No. 3: The Chargers beat the Cowboys and the Colts tie with the 49ers.
Scenario No. 4: The Chargers tie the Cowboys and the Texans lose to the Raiders and the Colts tie with the 49ers.
The Bolts first order of business, of course, is winning Sunday in Dallas. The Chargers cannot clinch a playoff spot if that doesn't happen.
If the Chargers are victorious, then all eyes turn to the Texans-Raiders game. Houston, by the way, is double-digit favorite but perhaps Las Vegas can spring a sneaky upset.
However, if the Texans win, then it means pulling for the 49ers on Monday night against Philip Rivers and the Colts. (That's still a very weird sentence to type).
If Indianapolis wins, then the Bolts would have to wait until Week 17 to secure their spot, which could happen with a win over the Texans.
So, a handful of scenarios are in play. But the Chargers will surely be focused on taking care of their own business in the Lone Star State.
Jamaree Salyer has been such a stabilizing force at tackle since he has been starting. How does this affect the future (this season and future) roles of Austin Deculus and Trevor Penning? (Nate via Twitter)
There's no doubt Salyer has been a calming presence at left tackle since sliding into the starting left tackle spot against the Raiders.
In fact, he's posted the team's top PFF offensive grade among offensive linemen in back-to-back weeks.
As for the rest of this season, pencil Salyer in as the starting left tackle. He's earned that job and will be counted upon to keep Justin Herbert clean.
Penning and Deculus are strong reserve options and could also see the field in jumbo packages with six offensive linemen like we saw on Sunday.
The future, meanwhile, is a little more in question, namely because Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are both expected to be back in the starting lineup in 2026.
And also because Salyer is among the Chargers 2026 free agents, a group that also includes Penning and Deculus.
With All-Pro caliber tackles such as Slater and Alt back in the mix, the Chargers will presumably be set at tackle so it will be interesting to see what happens with the trio of Salyer, Penning and Deculus.
Zion Johnson is also slated to be a free agent next offseason while Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi are under contract.
But there will be plenty of time to dissect the offseason roster. Right now the focus is on the 2025 Chargers and how they can clinch a playoff spot and be ready for a potential deep playoff run, one that Salyer will certainly be a key part of.
