Blog: How The Los Angeles Chargers’ Playoff Performance Could Shape Their Off-Season Plans – Forbes

The Chargers are going to the playoffs in their second year in Los Angeles and for only the second time in nine seasons.

Full Forbes coverage of the NFL playoffs: the outlook for all 12 teams.

Thanks to an explosive and varied offense and a stout defense, the Chargers could be one of the best No. 5-seeded teams in recent memory. After going 12-4, but finishing second to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, LA will open the postseason on Sunday by visiting the Baltimore Ravens.

How They Got Here

The Chargers stumbled from the gate, losing two of their first three games. Then they relied on Philip Rivers, their veteran quarterback who had a sensational season in throwing for 32 touchdowns and tying a career-high with a 105.5 rating to lead LA to a dozen wins. Melvin Gordon was another important key as he combined for 14 touchdowns.

Austin Ekeler, a key backup when Gordon battled knee and ankle injuries, proved to be a good value for the Chargers. Ekeler, whose average salary on a three-year deal is $556,667, had the highest percentage (17.9) of runs in the NFL which went for at least 10 yards.

Safety Derwin James, a first-round pick, didn’t come cheap with a four-year, $19 million deal which included $12 million in guarantees. But the versatile James became the first Chargers rookie to record more than 100 tackles and he did it by lining up all over the field.

But the biggest impact might have come from Michael Badgley’s right foot. After rotating through a series of unsuccessful kickers last year and to start this year, the Chargers settled on Badgley and the results were keen. Badgley, on a two-year, $1.05 million contract, set a franchise mark with a 59-yard field goal and provided the consistency in the kicking game which derailed the Chargers’ 2017 playoff chances.

What Happens Now

Some teams might begrudge the fact they won 12 games and have to open the playoffs on the road. The Chargers would not be one of those teams.

Given the uniqueness of the Chargers’ home field, a 25,000-seat soccer stadium, they seldom played in front of a “home” crowd. Instead on a regular basis opposing fans would seize control of the venue, which often forced the Chargers to use a silent snap count, despite being at home.

Given Rivers’ age at 37, it would seem the window is closing fast on the Chargers and that supplies a sense of urgency of getting it done this postseason. But the fact is quarterbacks play into their 40s in this era when defenders are restricted in how, and where, they can hit them.

But Gordon is just 25 and Joey Bosa, LA’s pass-rushing star, is only 23. And of course, James has yet to complete his first year.

While Rivers and the 38-year-old Antonio Gates skew the average age, this is a team that has youth and time on its side. If Rivers stays fit, there’s no reason why the Chargers can’t construct a string of playoff seasons.

What That Will Mean

The Chargers, like their LA brethren the Rams, are trying to impress potential customers. Both teams will be sharing a new stadium in 2020 and the Chargers have positioned themselves not only as a better alternative than the Rams, but a less expensive one, too. A seat license to purchase a Chargers season ticket cost $100, with the Rams charging $1,000.

That’s a big difference and it will be accentuated if the Chargers can go deep into the playoffs.

The Chargers set themselves up for a postseason run when they signed Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey in the offseason to a two-year, $15 million contract. He’s delivered a dose of nastiness to the front line and opened many a running lane for Gordon and crew.

Looking ahead the Chargers are below the league average ($35.951 million) for available cap space in 2019 at $27.704 million. With that in mind, Travis Benjamin and safety Jahleel Addae need to shine in the playoffs to secure their spot on next year’s team. Benjamin has a $6.5 million cap hit next season, with Addae close behind at $6 million. Neither has played up to their contracts.