Fit, fast Chargers appear to have the right stuff – elcajon newson Elcajon News only

Whatever Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers are doing to stay fit and fast, it’s working.

Looking nothing like a team beaten down by the long NFL season and brimming with energy and showing more speed and force than their opponent, the Chargers wore down and ran away from the Raiders in the regular season finale Sunday, winning 34-20 in Las Vegas.

It was a stunning display of late-season fitness. And it bodes well for the next test: a road game Saturday against the Houston Texans in an AFC WIld Card Game.

The show of vitality Sunday began with receiver Quentin Johnston, whose rare combination of speed, size, strength and work ethic led the Chargers to draft him in the first round two years ago.

Johnston looked anything but fatigued in amassing 13 receptions, a career high. The 23-year-old caught nine passes in the first half, finished with 186 receiving yards and further distanced himself from an underwhelming rookie year and a few critical miscues early this season.

Justin Herbert seemed unfatigued, too, by the season’s rigors.

Pulling the pull down near midfield, Herbert outsprinted a Raiders linebacker and wasn’t stopped until he’d netted 41 yards, a career-long rush.

He rolled out and threw a touchdown pass, and zinged several strikes from the pocket. If anything, his arm had too much strength at times.

In contrast to many QBs late in the season, Herbert wasn’t panicked by the prospect of absorbing more punishment. He risked hits when the play called for it during a 28-for-36 passing performance that amassed 346 yards and two touchdowns. All told, he looked ready to seize his first playoff victory the next time he plays.

If there’s such a thing as a rookie wall, Chargers standouts Ladd McConkey and Tarheeb Still ran through it weeks ago.

McConkey was as quick as ever Sunday. In the game’s signature moment, the rookie receiver reprised his freakish ability to re-accelerate from challenging body positions.

McConkey pulled down a pass in the middle of the Raiders’ defense, forcing him to come to a near-stop. He nevertheless was able to muster a catlike recovery and speed away from multiple defensive backs.

It’s still amazing the former Georgia star lasted until the 34th overall pick in last year’s draft.

Still is the former Maryland cornerback who went in the fifth round and picked off four passes this season.

Once again, he brought sticky coverage and physical play, finishing with a team-high seven tackles, including one for a loss.

Because of Harbaugh, the crisp, robust display wasn’t surprising.

Excellent fitness and zest for football were hallmarks of Harbaugh-coached teams with the University of San Diego, Stanford, the San Francisco 49ers and the University of Michigan.

A step back is warranted, though, to appreciate what Harbaugh has pulled off with the Chargers. He has transformed a pretender franchise into a sharp outfit that plays sound, physical football.

To think: it took him less than a year.

This time a year ago, Harbaugh was preparing Michigan for the national championship game. Sunday’s win over the Raiders came 36 days after Harbaugh’s final Wolverines team — looking stronger, faster and crisper than the Washington Huskies — completed a 15-0 season and earned the school’s first undisputed national title in 75 years.

Herbert’s potential lured Harbaugh back to the NFL in the coach’s quest for a Super Bowl victory.

In return, Harbaugh figured to move Herbert closer to greatness.

Herbert completed his best NFL season Sunday. The victory total, passer rating and interception percentage were all personal highs. Herbert looked less stressed this year, in part because Harbaugh developed a high-volume ground game.

Just as Harbaugh became an NFL wizard at interception avoidance under Indianapolis Colts coach Ted Marchibroda, a former NFL QB, Herbert has improved at ball protection under Harbaugh, who quarterbacked Michigan and several NFL teams. Herbert was intercepted only three times in 17 regular-season games this season. In NFL history, only Aaron Rodgers had fewer than four pickoffs in 450 attempts across a season. (He was intercepted just twice six years ago).

Harbaugh improved the defense a great deal, further benefiting Herbert. Coordinated by Jesse Minter, who was Harbaugh’s coordinator at Michigan, L.A.’s unit led the NFL in fewest points allowed.

By finishing strong, Harbaugh’s first L.A. team earned its best possible playoff pairing.

The Texans lost their best receiver to a season-ending injury last month. Their blockers have struggled for most of the season when it comes to sorting out stunts, blitzes and disguises. Those are a strength of Minter’s unit.

Prediction: the Chargers will beat the Texans.

Then it’ll be on to Kansas City.

At Arrowhead Stadium, where they lost by two points this season, the Chargers will relish having a third crack at the Chiefs this season. A victory would prevent Andy Reid’s club from becoming the first winner of three consecutive Super Bowls.

Count on this: Harbaugh’s team won’t lack for energy — or confidence.

Originally Published: January 5, 2025 at 7:28 PM PST