EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) 鈥 Jim Harbaugh’s phrasebook knows no bounds. He’s quoted everyone from Nelson Mandela to the Black Eyed Peas. The Los Angeles Chargers’ first 3-0 start since 2002 had their coach reaching back to the French Revolution for his latest plaudits.
Led by Justin Herbert, the Chargers made a gutsy fourth-quarter comeback to on Sunday for a third consecutive win over an AFC West opponent.
鈥淚 think it was Napoleon Bonaparte who said, 鈥楳orale is to the physical as three is to one,鈥 and boy, it won鈥檛 hurt morale and in confidence and just knowing what鈥檚 inside, man,鈥 Harbaugh said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 gravel in the gut. We don鈥檛 want to go down or stay the same, we want to keep climbing.鈥
The schedule makes it seem possible.
The Chargers are coming up on a soft stretch that includes games against the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans, who are a combined 0-9.
What鈥檚 working
The defense. It allowed just 265 yards while holding Denver to 2 of 13 on third downs and nine total first downs. Over the final 27 minutes, the defense allowed three points and three first downs. Safety Derwin James Jr. had a team-leading 12 tackles and four tackles for loss.
What needs help
Injuries are starting to pile up, with key players affected. The Chargers are thin at the backup tackle and running back spots.
Stock up
Herbert. He got sacked five times and hit 14 times by the Broncos, but came up huge in the game’s final minutes. His tying touchdown pass to Keenan Allen was an instant classic, with Herbert escaping a sack in the pocket, then rolling left and finding a well-covered Allen in the end zone. Herbert engineered his 13th career fourth-quarter comeback.
鈥淗e takes a hit, there鈥檚 no facial expression that changes, there鈥檚 no limp, there鈥檚 no crap. It鈥檚 like it didn鈥檛 even happen,鈥 Harbaugh said. 鈥淗e’s the fiercest.鈥
Stock down
The running game. It’s been a staple of every Harbaugh offense, but the Chargers have been propelled by Herbert’s arm and legs during their three-game winning streak.
Injuries
RB with a left Achilles tendon injury, according to Harbaugh, who said Sunday the diagnosis was 鈥減reliminary” while Harris was undergoing imaging. His absence would increase playing time for first-round pick Omarion Hampton, who has benefited from Harris’ early-season tutoring. Hampton had 129 yards from scrimmage to go with his first NFL touchdown Sunday.
鈥淲e knew how special he was as soon as he got here,鈥 Herbert said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 handled it all.”
In other injury news, RG Mekhi Becton sustained a concussion in the second quarter Sunday. LB Khalil Mack (dislocated elbow) is on injured reserve and will miss the next three games while recovering.
Key number
4 鈥 The last time the Chargers began a season with four straight wins was in 2002 under coach Marty Schottenheimer and quarterback Drew Brees, who was at SoFi Stadium on Sunday. They finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs that season.
Next steps
The Chargers visit the (0-3) on Sunday in the teams’ first meeting since 2021. LA has won five straight in the series by an average margin of 13 points. The Chargers lead the all-time series 8-5.
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