The one drawback of having a successful NFL franchise is that other teams will look to poach key pieces in the offseason. That's the reality the Los Angeles Chargers may have to deal with soon, as their playoff-bound roster in year one of the Jim Harbaugh/Joe Hortiz era has produced some attractive candidates for potential openings around the league.

FOXBORO, Mass. — Jim Harbaugh burst into the locker room like the Kool-Aid Man. There was an open entrance, so he did not have to break down a wall. But considering the enthusiasm the Los Angeles Chargers coach was exuding, he probably could have shouldered through some drywall if necessary.

Justin Herbert passed for 346 yards and two touchdowns, and the Los Angeles Chargers secured the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs with a 34-20 victory Sunday over the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Los Angeles Chargers, led by former Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert, have clinched a playoff spot before the final game of the NFL regular season. Will Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh bench Herbert and the rest of the Chargers starters?

Well, in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season, Harbaugh added another feather in his cap with a clinched playoff berth in his first season leading the Chargers, making a pretty incredible turnaround for an organization that looked increasingly listless during the downfall of the Brandon Staley era.

Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers are heading to the playoffs and focusing on what's next.

The Chargers last made the playoffs in 2022 but made a first-round exit. Now in 2024, the team is preparing to make a deep playoff run with Harbaugh at the helm. The Chargers are currently the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff picture. If the team remains the No. 6 seed, the Chargers will play the No. 3 seed, which is currently the Baltimore Ravens.

"Harbaugh's fingerprints are all over this team already. But after the Chargers beat the rival Broncos in a matchup with major wild-card implications, it's clear it's the combination of quarterback and coach that makes the Bolts a nightmare matchup as the AFC's (likely) sixth seed."

A month ago it may have sounded unfathomable, but the Las Vegas Raiders are looking to close a disappointing campaign with a third straight victory on Sunday as they host

The Las Vegas Raiders have secured victories in their last two games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New Orleans Saints, so the Los Angeles Chargers, who may sit quite a few players, could be in some trouble.

The NFL Playoff picture is not set in stone. However, the current matchup for the Los Angeles Chargers is a ratings dream for the NFL.