Despite starting the season 3–0 for the first time since 2002, the team would lose 3 out of their next 4 games. They finished the season matching their 11-6 record from the previous season and clinched a playoff berth for the second straight year (their first consecutive playoff berths since 2008-2009) following the Indianapolis Colts' Week 16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. However, they failed to end their 15-year AFC West title drought and they lost to the New England Patriots by a score of 16–3 in the Wild Card round.
This is the first season since 2015 without outside linebacker Joey Bosa, as he was released on March 5.[1] This made Denzel Perryman and Keenan Allen the last players on the team to have spent time during the team's tenure in San Diego.[2]
Following a strong performance from his receivers, star quarterback Justin Herbert finished the game with over three hundred passing yards. After Herbert ran for a first down to run out the clock in the final quarter, the Chargers started 1–0 for the sixth time in seven seasons and defeated the Chiefs for the first time since 2021.[8] This was their first home win against the Chiefs since 2013, and their first since relocating back to Los Angeles in 2017.
Week 2: at Las Vegas Raiders
Week 2: Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders– Game summary
Head coach Jim Harbaugh and Raiders head coach Pete Carroll rekindled their rivalry for the first time since 2014, as the Chargers dominated the Raiders to earn their second win of the season.[9]
Week 3: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 3: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers– Game summary
With the win, the Chargers started 3–0 for the first time since 2002. They also defeated all of their division rivals in their first three games, becoming the third team since the 2002 division realignment to do so.[10]
Week 4: at New York Giants
Week 4: Los Angeles Chargers at New York Giants– Game summary
With the upset loss, the Chargers suffered their first defeat of the season, falling to 3–1. It was their first loss to the Giants since 1998 and their first road loss to the Giants since 1986.[11]
Week 5: vs. Washington Commanders
Week 5: Washington Commanders at Los Angeles Chargers– Game summary
The Chargers took a 10–0 lead in the first quarter. However, that would be their only points scored of the game, as the Commanders rallied back with a powerful run attack and strong defense to score 27 unanswered points, sealing the upset loss for the Chargers. They fell to 3–2, and suffered their first home loss to the Commanders since 1986, when they were based in San Diego and the Commanders were known as the Redskins.[12]
Wide receiver Keenan Allen recorded his 1,000th career reception, becoming the fastest player in NFL history to reach the milestone. He achieved the mark in his 159th game, surpassing Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, who previously held the record at 167 games.[13]
Week 6: at Miami Dolphins
Week 6: Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins– Game summary
The Chargers faced off against Colts head coach Shane Steichen, who spent nine seasons with the Chargers in various roles.[14]Justin Herbert threw for a career-high 420 passing yards and three touchdowns. His 37 completions set a new franchise record. However, he was sacked three times and intercepted twice as the Chargers were overwhelmed by the Colts. With their first loss to the Colts since 2016, the Chargers fell to 4–3 and dropped to second place in the division following the Broncos’ dramatic comeback win over the Giants.[15]
Week 8: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 8: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers– Game summary
Despite the Chargers’ offensive line allowing Justin Herbert to be sacked a season-high six times, Herbert rebounded from a pick-six by throwing for 250 yards and two touchdowns, and added another score on the ground to lead Los Angeles to a victory over the Tennessee Titans. With their first win in Nashville since the 2009 season, the Chargers improved to 6–3.[16]
The next day, it was announced that starting offensive tackle Joe Alt would miss the remainder of the season due to a season-ending ankle injury.[17]
Week 10: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 10: Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers– Game summary
The 29-point loss tied the worst defeat of Jim Harbaugh’s NFL coaching career.[19] With their third loss to Jacksonville since 2022, the Chargers fell to 7–4 entering their bye.
Week 13: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 13: Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers– Game summary
The Chargers capitalized on the Eagles’ sloppy play, as Philadelphia committed five turnovers, including four interceptions thrown by quarterback Jalen Hurts, with the final one intercepted by Tony Jefferson in overtime to secure a Chargers victory.
Week 15: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 15: Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs– Game summary
With two minutes left in the game and the Chiefs driving into Chargers territory with a chance to tie, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a non-contact injury to his left knee, later revealed to be a torn ACL, and was quickly ruled out. Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew took over and, on a game-deciding play, threw an interception to Derwin James, sealing the Chargers’ win.[20]
With the victory, the Chargers swept the Chiefs for the first time since the 2013 season, eliminated Kansas City from playoff contention for the first time since the 2014 season, and became the first AFC West team since the 2014 Broncos to sweep the Chiefs.[21][22]
Week 16: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 16: Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys– Game summary
DAL – George Pickens – 7 receptions, 130 yards, TD
With the win and the following day’s loss by the Colts to the 49ers, the Chargers clinched a playoff berth for a second consecutive season. The Chargers finished 3-2 against the NFC.[23]
Week 17: vs. Houston Texans
Week 17: Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers– Game summary
The Chargers struggled against the Texans, and although they attempted a comeback, a potential turning point was negated by an illegal contact penalty by Tarheeb Still on a third-and-9 play in which Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked. The penalty allowed Houston to retain possession and ultimately hold on to the win.
With the loss, and the Broncos win over the Chiefs, the Chargers finished 2–2 against the AFC South (6-3 at home) and they failed to clinch the AFC West for the 16th straight year. [24]
Week 18: at Denver Broncos
Week 18: Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos– Game summary
With the loss and the Bills' win over the Jets, the Chargers finished the regular season at 11–6 and clinched the #7 seed in the AFC, finishing 5–1 against the AFC West and 5–3 on the road.
With their first loss to New England since 2021, the Chargers extended their playoff losing streak to the Patriots to four straight and secured their third wild card loss in four seasons.
12Denver finished ahead of New England based on common games (Denver 6–0 to New England 5–1 against: Cincinnati, Las Vegas, NY Giants, NY Jets and Tennessee).
12Houston finished ahead of Buffalo based on head-to-head victory.
12Indianapolis finished ahead of Baltimore based on conference record (Indianapolis 6–6 to Baltimore 5–7).
12Cincinnati finished ahead of Kansas City based on conference record (Cincinnati 5–7 to Kansas City 3–9).
123Las Vegas finished ahead of NY Jets and Tennessee based on conference record (Las Vegas 3–9 to NY Jets 2–10 and Tennessee 2–10).
12NY Jets finished ahead of Tennessee based on strength of victory (NY Jets .373 to Tennessee .275).
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