The Los Angeles Chargers finished third in the AFC West last season at 9-8. Los Angeles was 3-3 in division play, 5-4 at home and 4-4 on the road. Los Angeles did not reach the playoffs last season. Quarterback Justin Herbert returns to lead the Chargers offense, while the defense had added a pair of key pieces that could help them compete for an AFC Championship this season.
San Diego loves to pass the ball, as the Chargers had the third most pass attempts in the NFL and were second in total passing yards while fifth in total points and touchdown passes in 2021. Last season, Herbert passed for 5,014 yards with 38 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Austin Ekeler returns as the lead running back after last season rushing for a team-high 911 yards and 12 touchdowns. Mike Williams is the leading receiver returning from last season with 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns, while Keenan Allen had 1,138 yards and six touchdown receptions.
The most glaring weakness last season for Los Angeles was the run defense that allowed the third-most yards on the ground and the fourth most rushing touchdowns. To help change that, the Chargers acquired defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day from the Los Angeles Rams. The Chargers also signed Khalil Mack, who is considered one of the best linebackers in football and an excellent pass-rusher. Los Angeles has one of football's best edge rushers in linebacker Joey Bosa.