After a one-year absence, the Chargers are making a return to the playoffs.
Los Angeles clinched a wild-card berth with a 40-7 win over the New England Patriots on Saturday.
"Just so proud of the team," head coach Jim Harbaugh said postgame about securing a playoff spot, per team transcript. "All those that made it happen. The players, the coaches. I mean, there was so much great play. I mean, our offense, our offense, great. Defense, great. I'm proud of our captains. ... Super, super proud of everybody. Everybody. I mean, it's everybody in the family, everybody in the organization that just keeps doing anything and everything they can to help our team be successful and to win."
The Chargers are now in search of their first playoff win since the 2018 season, as their only appearance since then was the infamous blown 27-point lead against the Jaguars during the 2022 playoffs. Los Angeles is also one of five teams to have made the playoffs so far this year that has yet to win a Super Bowl.
The Bolts are the sixth AFC team to officially earn a playoff spot, and only one berth remains up for grabs within the conference.
L.A. has done it in their first year under Harbaugh. Harbaugh led the 49ers to the playoffs three times in his four years as their coach, advancing to the Super Bowl in the 2012 season and making it to the conference championship the other two playoff seasons.
Upon being named the Chargers head coach earlier this year, Harbaugh emphasized his goal of getting "another shot to be simply known as world champions." Now, his current team has taken the first step toward that objective by ensuring it'll be a part of the postseason field in his first year at the helm.
All that's left for the regular season after a convincing victory Saturday is to determine exactly which seed the Chargers will have and who their first postseason opponent will be.
"They just gave it everything they had, and that's all they were asking of each other was give us everything you have and give it your very best and do it for each other," Harbaugh said of his team's performance. "Play for each other. I mean that's a powerful thing. I think that bodes well for us."
L.A.'s remaining game is against Las Vegas in Week 18 before officially beginning its 2024 postseason campaign, hoping for a more successful outcome than in its last appearance.
