Chargers stars aim to ensure 'nightmare' playoff loss 'doesn't happen again'

The Los Angeles Chargers had one of the most surreal collapses in playoff history last season. The Chargers were up 27-0 in the first half of an AFC wild-card tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars only to see that lead deteriorate. L.A. ultimately lost 31-30. The Jags comeback was the third-largest in NFL playoff history. 

As bizarre as the comeback was for fans watching the game, it was even more so for Chargers players like Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. Losing in that manner is something hard to shake. 

"The only positive thing about it is that it was last year, last season," Mack said, per NFL.com. "Have a lot more to look forward to, knowing where the potential is and all of that, which is neither here nor there. Can't focus on it, even though it is hard. It's one of those things. Me and Joey (Bosa) were talking about it, it was like a bad dream, like a nightmare. Waking up from it and just putting in the work to make sure that it doesn't happen again."

Mack and Bosa are confident they can be one of the most prolific pass-rushing tandems in the pros. Mack said that the duo is "not even close" to scratching the surface. He is ready to get out there with Bosa and "not talk too much, but get to work." Bosa feels the same.

Bosa said that he and Mack "complement each other well," and with more reps together they'll improve their nonverbal communication with one another. 

"We'll really get a feel for each other and when a guy is going high, a guy is going low," Bosa said. "I think we have the opportunity to really get to a special spot between us two."

The Chargers finished 10-7 last season. Wild-card losses aren't going to cut it for a team that wants to win championships with great players such as Bosa, Mack, Keenan Allen and Justin Herbert in the fold. This is a prove-it year for the franchise and head coach Brandon Staley.