The Chargers fixed their biggest flaw just in time for a playoff push
The Chargers have allowed fewer than 20 points in three straight games, flipping the script on a defensive unit that struggled early in the season.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ playoff push hasn’t been fueled by offensive shootouts or big offensive stats. Rather, it’s been powered by something few expected earlier this season: a dominant defense.
How the Chargers’ defense turned the corner at the perfect time
Since their bye week in Week 12, the Chargers have shown a noticeable shift on the defensive side of the ball. After spending much of the first half of the season struggling to get off the field, Los Angeles has now held three straight opponents under 20 points, including wins over the Raiders, Eagles, and Chiefs. That stretch has helped the Chargers climb to 10-4 and put them on the doorstep of another postseason appearance.
"This is a big time play by @DerwinJames..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 17, 2025
The Chargers defense is making these plays week in and week out" ~ @DariusJButler #PMSLive https://t.co/JlIKLwelrN pic.twitter.com/p1YKgPag2I
What’s made the turnaround stand out is the quality of competition. Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Las Vegas all feature offenses capable of scoring in bunches, yet the Chargers consistently forced long drives, limited explosive plays, and tightened up in key moments. Against the Chiefs last week, they allowed just 13 points and sealed the win late, earning their first season sweep of Kansas City in more than a decade.
The improvement hasn’t come from one single change, but rather a combination of better execution and situational awareness. The Chargers have done a better job of pressuring quarterbacks without selling out, while the secondary has limited big plays that plagued the unit earlier in the year. The result has been a defense that looks both more disciplined and far more confident.
That surge will be put to the test Sunday in Arlington when the Chargers face the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys boast one of the NFL’s most productive offenses, particularly at home, where Dallas has averaged over 30 points per game this season. If the Chargers’ defense can hold its ground again under the lights at AT&T Stadium, it will further validate that this late-season turnaround is no fluke.
With the playoffs approaching and momentum on their side, the Chargers are proving they don’t need to win games 38-35 anymore. If the defense continues to show up, they may be far more dangerous in the postseason than anyone expected a few months ago.
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