Jim Harbaugh says the Chargers are built for the playoffs

The Los Angeles Chargers are now 7-3 on the season after a 34-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on "Sunday Night Football."

Per NFL Next Gen Stats, the Chargers are currently the No. 5 seed in the AFC and have a 90% chance of making the playoffs. 

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh believes his team has the resolve to handle high-leverage situations in the playoffs. Harbaugh mentioned a recent practice that felt like 50 mph winds were gusting yet quarterback Justin Herbert was still throwing accurate strikes. That's when it dawned on Harbaugh what the Chargers team could become once mid-January rolls around. 

"If we get in the playoffs, man, we are built for it," Harbaugh said he told the team in practice. "We got a quarterback that is weatherproof, this wind, the elements, makes no difference."

Herbert has been outstanding this season, throwing for 13 touchdown passes and just one interception, but other leaders are also responsible for 2024 being a successful season thus far. Harbaugh has recently credited veterans such as J.K. Dobbins, Derwin James, Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa as players setting the tone in the locker room. 

"Guys just doing their very best, battling, what more can you ask for?" Harbaugh said. "The bottom line to me is, I think we got the right guys at the right time and that's all a coach can ask for."

While Harbaugh points to the players being responsible for the team's success, players such as Bosa think Harbaugh is responsible for the turnaround from a team mentality standpoint. The Chargers were 5-12 last season under Brandon Staley and they're going to far exceed that win total this year with Harbaugh at the helm. 

"Having coach Harbaugh and having the whole staff has shifted the culture here," Bosa said.

The Chargers have won three games in a row and will look to keep that streak going in Week 12 on "Monday Night Football" against the 7-4 Baltimore Ravens. With a win over the Ravens, it would become abundantly clear that the Chargers have themselves a good football team.