The Chargers Have A Chance To Exorcise Some Demons Vs Jacksonville This Weekend

Lets set the scene for this playoff game from the 2022 season. 

Herbert was coming off an incredible sophomore campaign which saw him compile 5,316 total yards and 41 touchdowns. The team had stayed mostly healthy, and only lost out on a playoff spot after all-world bozo Brandon Staley decided not to go for mutually beneficial tie vs the Raiders. Herbert was 6/6 with 106 yards and a TD on fourth down alone in that game while Austin Ekeler gave a measly 64 yards in run support. Derek Carr had 186 yards total while Josh Jacobs put up 132 in support. This is a trend that you will see again later. 

In 2022, the team improved by a single win but was not in good shape outside of the QB position. Here is how they turned out:
Rushing: 89.6 YPG (30/32)
Defense: 22.6 PPGA (21/32)
Offensive Line: 57% Pass Block Win Rate (23/32)
WR Drops: 40th (30/32)

Simply put, not a very good team. On top of that, with a playoff spot/positioning secured, Bozo Staley decided to keep his starters in for the last game of the season vs Denver. During this game, Mike Williams fractured his back, forcing him to miss this playoff matchup. 

Most people probably remember how the first half of this game went, starting with the fact that Trevor Lawrence threw four picks. Herbert lead scoring drives off 3 of them. The lone failure of those 4 chances was a 3-and-out where he had a single passing opportunity. In that first half, the RBs had 33 yards. Right before end end of the half, Michael Bandy (a practice squad WR elevated due to Williams avoidable injury), fumbled a jet sweep, giving the Jags good field position from which they scored a TD with 24 seconds remaining. The score is 27-7. 

So what is the strategy leading 20 with one half remaining. The answer seems obvious, right? Run the ball, drain the clock, play good defense. What actually happened? The Chargers ran the ball 7 times for ZERO yards. The Defense did not make a single stop. Herbert was 10/18 in the half, 147 yards with a punt returner and practice squad player at WR. Absolute and total humiliation at the hands of Brandon Staley's unit. 

Fast forward to today, the Jags are getting cocky...

Lets look at the same unit compared to last year outside of QB. 

Rushing: 89.6 YPG (30/32)
Defense: 22.6 PPGA (21/32)
Offensive Line: 53% Pass Block Win Rate (31/32)
WR Drops: 40th (30/32)

So, thanks to injuries, not that much better outside of an improved defense. Herbert's weapons, however, have certainly improved from that game. And his willingness to go off-script and run has also changed. So what I hope we get out of this game is not just a win, which they need. Not a poetic, last second victory. What I want out of this is an ass kicking. Domination. Run up the score and put them in the dirt. Not only for the few members of this team still left from that game, but also for DC Jesse Minter. His unit was crushed by Liam Coen last year vs Tampa Bay, and I'm sure he's looking for a measure of revenge as well. 

So, that is what I would ask of Harbaugh. Don't just win, dominate.