The Los Angeles Chargers are eyeing a possible AFC Wild Card bid for the 2024-25 NFL season. At 7-3 under head coach Jim Harbaugh, they will face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12, with playoff hopes on hold.
The Chargers have shaped their passing attack in recent weeks. Justin Herbert returned to the top 10 in his fifth NFL campaign and built budding chemistry with Ladd McConkey.
The rookie had six receptions on nine targets for 123 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11, and he will have the opportunity to test his skills against a Ravens pass defense that has given up the most yards and of touchdowns to wide receivers. This appears to be the QB/WR duo the Chargers will soon go with.
That said, one can’t help but wonder if they missed an opportunity to add another pass-catching weapon at the trade deadline.
The Chargers could have made a better effort for Mike Williams
Los Angeles was linked to Mike Williams in trade rumors, with the reunion seeming palpable to Bolts fans. Surprisingly, nothing ever took shape in terms of a deal, and the Pittsburgh Steelers ultimately decided to acquire Williams from the New York Jets for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
While Williams is already in his eighth season and a far cry from being the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Chargers, he still possessed the familiarity and skill set that could have benefited Harbaugh’s offense. He also looks a lot like Quentin Johnston, who might have looked to Williams for veteran advice.
Johnston broke out in his second season since the Chargers drafted him 21st overall in 2023. He racked up 22 catches for 354 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 16.1 yards per catch. The 23-year-old has been a valuable weapon for Herbert on deep passes and red zone opportunities, but his overall consistency has become a concern for the Chargers. in the midst of their playoff quest.
Aside from a touchdown in his debut on Nov. 10, Williams has yet to be a big factor for Pittsburgh. But that should be quickly resolved when the Steelers have more practice days following their appearance on Thursday Night Football in Week 12.
Williams’ lone 32-yard catch by Russell Wilson was a flash of what the Chargers also could have gotten from the 6-foot-4 playmaker.
Could the offense be revealed before the playoffs?
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The Chargers certainly didn’t make things easy on themselves in the 34-27 win over the Bengals in Week 11. Despite a 24-6 halftime advantage, the Chargers defense couldn’t prevent Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati offense showed their best cards in the second half, completing three combined touchdowns against Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
The Chargers secured the victory, thanks to a 29-yard touchdown run by JK Dobbins with 18 seconds left.
However, in situations like these, the outcome is not always the same. The Chargers were fortunate to face a flawed Bengals defense.
This time. But when they face more balanced AFC contenders like the Steelers or Ravens, it won’t be as easy. Herbert and the offense will struggle to play an effective game for four quarters and break their streaking habits over time. They’re middle of the pack in virtually every offensive category, and it’s clear that another offensive presence has made them overbearing.
Alas, Los Angeles will continue to roll with McConkey and Johnston as their No. 1 and No. 2 receivers, who admittedly show a ton of resemblance to the franchise’s former WR tandem of Keenan Allen and Williams.
