Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers will rest a number of their starters this week with the playoffs clinched, and that includes Justin Herbert and a number of their defensive leaders.
One veteran play who will certainly take the field this weekend is wide receiver Keenan Allen who is aiming for upwards of $1 million in incentives he’s closing in on with one more game to go in the regular season.
Other players who could be in line for some extra cash are cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (needs one interception) and linebacker Troy Dye (one sack) to activate a $125,000 boost for them both.
Aside...
Bolts From The Blue
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Chargers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Heading into Week 18, we want to know how you’re feeling after watching the team so far this year. Every week of the season we will ask fans if they are confident the team is headed in the right direction and more of the most pressing questions facing the coming game. Let us know what you think!
Bolts From The Blue
Good morning, Chargers fans!
You know what to do!
And now for today’s links.
Check out photos from the Chargers prep for Week 18 (Chargers.com)
Are media members picking the Chargers or Broncos this weekend? (Chargers.com)
ESPN says this is the biggest weakness for the Chargers (Chargers Wire)
This new mocked draft prospect to the Chargers would be a head-scratcher (Bolt Beat)
Lamar Jackson says he’s playing this week and that he’s “not quitting” on the Ravens (ESPN)
Pete Prisco picks games from this week’s slate in the NFL (CBS Sports)
The Packers added...
Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers had their first practice of Week 18 on Wednesday and it came with a massive injury report that featured the names of 14 players.
With the expectation that a number of starters will sit in the season finale with the postseason clinched, veterans Keenan Allen, Khalil Mack, Derwin James, and Justin Herbert were all given the day off. Despite sitting this week, I’d expect to see them get some form of work in during the week either on Thursday or Friday.
As for the other 10 players with injury designations, running back Omarion Hampton (ankle), cornerback Nikko Reed...
Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers will end the 2025 regular season on the road in Denver where backup quarterback Trey Lance will start against the Broncos and their elite defense.
With the playoffs clinched, Justin Herbert does not need to trot out their this week in frigid weather just to get his tail whipped on repeat right before the postseason. Starting Lance is the only option this week and it also provides a nice opportunity to gain insight into what the Chargers have in the former first-round pick.
Behind this offensive line, however, Lance will likely have a tough time. The Broncos are...
Bolts From The Blue
Good morning, Chargers fans!
You know what to do!
And now for today’s links.
Five things to know about Chargers QB Trey Lance (Chargers.com)
Take a look at all the possible matchups the Chargers could face in the wild card round (Chargers.com)
Drew Brees was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 (Chargers Wire)
Could the Vikings try and snatch Justin Herbert away from LA? (Bolt Beat)
Who made the cut for Ben Solak’s 2025 All-Rookie team? (ESPN)
What are the biggest flaws for each of this year’s...
Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers fell to 11-5 after a 20-16 loss to the Texans at home this past Saturday. After a rough start by the defense (14 points allowed in under the first six minutes), they hunkered down and allowed only six through the remaining 34 minutes of game time.
Now, if the game had started at that point instead of six minutes prior, the Bolts would have won 16-6, but that’s not these things work unfortunately. The Chargers now have to take this one on the chin, focus on finishing the regular season, and prepare for whomever ends up being their...
Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers nearly dug themselves out of the early hole they dug themselves to beat the Houston Texans on Saturday, but ultimately fell short 20-16. The final point differential also being a direct reflection of the points kicker Cameron Dicker left on the field by missing both a field goal and his first extra point of the 2025 season.
It was tough-fought and gritty game by Justin Herbert, but once again the deficiencies along the offensive line were just too much to overcome. The Bolts fell to 11-5 on the year and are expected to rest a number of their...
Bolts From The Blue
Good morning, Chargers fans!
You know what to do!
And now for today’s links.
Five takeaways from Monday’s media availability for the Chargers (Chargers.com)
Five things to know about the Chargers ahead of Week 18 (Chargers.com)
Check out the best photos from Saturday’s game against the Texans (Chargers Wire)
Resting Justin Herbert in the season finale was the obvious call (Bolt Beat)
Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions in the team’s loss to the Falcons (Sports Illustrated)
Northwestern is hiring former Raiders OC Chip Kelly to the same position (ESPN)
The Ravens are still TBD...
Bolts From The Blue
The Los Angeles Chargers are resting their starters, including quarterback Justin Herbert, in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos to close out the regular season.
The Chargers are sitting a good amount of their starters because the team is no longer eligible to win the AFC West after their Week 17 loss at home against the Houston Texans.
The Chargers are locked into one of the three Wild Card spots in the AFC playoffs, which is part of the reason why FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Chargers as a 7.5-point underdog against the Broncos, who would clinch a first-round bye and...
Bolts From The Blue
With the division out of reach and Chargers playing for only a chance moving their playoff seeding up amongst the wild cards, head coach Jim Harbaugh has decided that it won’t be worth trotting his franchise quarterback out there to play against the Broncos in the regular season finale. The game is also on the road in Denver and if Harbaugh can keep Herbert from having to take yet another beating (this time in the frigid cold), then he’s going to do just that.
Instead, backup Trey Lance will get his first extensive playing time this season as the starter...
Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers overcame a very, very rough start to their game against the Texans to fall just short in a rematch of their playoff game from January.
After allowing 14 points in the first six minutes, the Chargers defense hung on to allow just six points through the remaining ~34 minutes. Unfortunately their own 16 points over that span felt short, especially given Cameron Dicker’s four points left off the board (missed FG, XP) which would have made it a tie game in those final few minutes.
But alas, the Bolts have to move on and prepare for the postseason....
Bolts From The Blue
