Los Angeles Chargers 2024-25 NFL Season Recap

Los Angeles Chargers 2024-25 NFL Season Recap

I’ll be the first to admit that I revenge bet against the Los Angeles Chargers heading into the 2024-25 NFL betting season. Three straight seasons of the Bolts teasing me only to come up short of exceeding their win total odds led me to fade the team at all costs regardless of an entirely new coaching staff taking over for the joke that proved to be Brandon Staley. The previous season proved to be an all-out catastrophe with the coaching staff costing the team wins and the injury bug taking huge bites out of both sides of the ball. Though injuries reared their ugly head this season as well, the team was better prepared to deal with them, and the ability to do so fell completely in the collective lap of the much improved coaching staff. Bottom line, Jim Harbaugh knows how to coach and win football games evidenced by the Chargers tallying 10+ wins for the first time since 2018 and the eighth since the turn of the century. Unfortunately, most of the triumphs were attained against lesser opposition with only two of the team’s 11 overall regular season wins coming against one team that went on to punch a ticket to the playoffs. The other nine came against teams making picks in the front half of the upcoming NFL Draft.

It wasn’t much of a surprise to see the Chargers falter in the first round of the playoffs, especially as road favorites against a division winner. The result was disastrous, with Los Angeles getting outgained 429-261 and Justin Herbert throwing more interceptions in one game than he did for the entirety of the regular season. Despite the disappointing exit, the Chargers met preseason expectations, surpassing their 8.5-game win total, finishing second in the AFC West (-110), and securing a playoff berth (+110). Early in the season, with J.K. Dobbins leading the backfield before another knee injury sidelined him for a month, LA's ground game was one of the league’s most threatening. Ultimately, the rushing attack finished a middling No. 17 overall. However, the Chargers’ offense excelled at ball security (ranking No. 2 in turnover rate), and a defense that forced 21 takeaways helped them dominate the turnover battle. This advantage, combined with a schedule ranked by Sharp Football Analysis as the second-easiest in the league, played a key role in their overall success. While they fell short in the postseason, Los Angeles’ ability to capitalize on favorable circumstances was a significant factor in their regular-season performance.

It translated to 11 overall wins and 12 covers against the closing NFL spread good for the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs. That being said, there is plenty for GM Joe Hortiz to rectify in the offseason on both sides of the ball. As great a second round pick Ladd McConkey proved to be, Herbert still needs a ton of help at the wide receiver position. Joshua Palmer can’t stay on the field and for all intents and purposes, Quentin Johnston has been a bust with his numerous drops habitually costing the team in the biggest of spots. A stud tight end or pass catcher would come with welcome arms! As to would more interior defensive line help after the Bolts were taken advantage of on the ground to the tune of 117+ yards per game (No. 14) and 4.7 yards per carry (No. 27). Don’t be surprised if any of Penn State’s Tyler Warren, Michigan’s Colston Loveland, Oregon’s Derrick Harmon, or Texas A&M’s Walter Nolen find themselves in powder blues come late April—provided those needs aren’t already rectified in free agency.

Los Angeles Chargers Wild Card Recap

The Los Angeles Chargers' playoff run ended with a disappointing 32-12 NFL odds loss to the Houston Texans, driven by a career-high four interceptions from Justin Herbert. Despite entering the game with only three interceptions thrown in the regular season, Herbert struggled against Houston’s aggressive defense led by All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley, who grabbed two picks. Rookie Kamari Lassiter added another interception, and Eric Murray returned one for a touchdown. The Chargers' offensive line allowed four sacks and nine additional quarterback hits, contributing to Herbert’s 40.9 passer rating on 14-of-32 passing for 242 yards. Los Angeles jumped out to a 6-0 lead after recovering a fumble on Houston's first play and converting it into two Cameron Dicker field goals. However, the offense stagnated as the Texans’ defense consistently pressured Herbert. Even an 86-yard touchdown pass to Ladd McConkey couldn’t spark a comeback, as the extra point was blocked and returned for two points. The Chargers' playoff woes continue with their second straight wild-card exit and a postseason victory drought dating back to 2018. Despite a solid defensive start and Derwin James’ early fumble recovery, Los Angeles couldn't maintain momentum. First-year head coach Jim Harbaugh took responsibility for the loss, admitting Houston was the better team.

2024 Los Angeles Chargers Schedule, Results & Record

Founded in 1960 as charter members of the American Football League, the Los Angeles Chargers moved to San Diego in 1961. Barron Hilton, an heir to the famous hotel chain, was the original owner. He named the team the Chargers after his credit card company that was aligned to his hotels and restaurants. The early Chargers were the power of the American Football League. Their marquee man was Hall of Fame receiver Lance “Bambi” Alworth. Head coach Sid Gilman was a pioneer in passing game development. The Chargers played in the first two AFL championship games, losing both. Finally, they won the 1963 AFL championship. After losing the AFL championship game in the next two years, the Chargers went into a long period of darkness.

But head coach Don Coryell and quarterback Dan Fouts led a franchise resurgence in the early 1980s. Following that was another long period of losing. The Chargers made their only Super Bowl appearance in the 1995 season, losing to the 49ers. From 2004 through 2018, the Chargers made the playoffs seven times. For most of those years, the quarterback was Philip Rivers, who could never get the Chargers to the Super Bowl. Finally, after years of futility in trying to get a new stadium built, the Chargers returned to LA from San Diego in 2017.

Since then, the franchise has not won a division title and has only made it to the postseason twice, largely due to poor coaching and an inability to stay healthy. With Jim Harbaugh taking over as head coach for the 2024-25 season and the roster undergoing a strategic overhaul, there is renewed hope that the team can compete with the Kansas City Chiefs and become a Super Bowl contender.

Los Angeles Chargers Past Seasons (2000)

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