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Justin Herbert has the arm talent to punish loaded boxes, and Jim Harbaugh can keep him out of pure dropback football with the run game. The defense can move Derwin James Jr. around to disguise pressure and coverage. The offensive line has to stay healthy after protection injuries repeatedly changed the offense.
The Chargers can win through either side of the ball. On offense, Los Angeles leans on a physical run and play-action offense, with Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey as the main playmakers. On defense, the team leans on a disguised-pressure scheme.
Big-play production is the swing factor. More explosive plays would take the pressure off of Justin Herbert.
Herbert is the reason the Chargers sit 4th in QB Stability even while the offense leans on the run and calculated deep shots. Interior pressure is the pressure point because it can erase both parts of that formula at once.
Los Angeles ranks 20th in explosive-play ability. Without more chunk plays, too many drives depend on staying perfect for ten or twelve snaps.
Los Angeles owns one of the tougher schedules in the league because Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs form the hardest part of it. PFM has the schedule No. 2 with an opponent average of 82.1 and 10 games against current top-10 teams. The road is not difficult from start to finish, but the stretch around Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs leaves little room for an off week.
Toughest remaining opponent: 
Seattle Seahawks at 91.3 PFM.
Shared profile: Explosiveness and Coaching Direction.
Los Angeles Chargers get early-down control from the offensive line, and Denver answers with on-schedule throws from the offensive line. The closest football connection comes from two important parts of the roster, with each team reaching it through its own personnel. QB Stability is the main separator, with Los Angeles Chargers carrying more dependable current support in long-yardage situations.
Where they separate: QB Stability. Chargers hold the stronger current rating.
Denver and Kansas City make the AFC West race unusually unforgiving. Los Angeles can stay in the race by running with authority, keeping Herbert clean and letting the defense vary its pressure looks. The remaining problem is offensive-line health after protection injuries repeatedly changed the offense.
The Chargers are 0–1 in their only Super Bowl appearance.
