Harbaugh’s Focus: Health and Winning
The Los Angeles Chargers are sitting at the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs. They have several possibilities for seeding. However, head coach John Harbaugh isn’t stressing over which seed or opponent they might face.
“Our focus is on health and winning,” Harbaugh said. “We can’t predict the outcome. Whatever team we play in the first round will be strong.”
He emphasized that the team’s main goal is to perform well and win. “We’ll prepare and then find out where we go,” he added.
As it stands, the Chargers could land anywhere from the Nos. 5 to 7 seeds. They could face six different teams in the opening round. The uncertainty can be nerve-racking, but it’s all part of the game.
Learning from Week 17
The Chargers suffered a tough 20-16 loss to the Texans in Week 17. Harbaugh pointed out that uncharacteristic mistakes played a role in that defeat. However, he was proud of how his team fought for the full 60 minutes.
“We had some mistakes, but I’m proud of our grit,” he said. “There’s always room for improvement, and we’ll work on that this week.”
When asked about specific issues, he mentioned problems in all three phases of the game. Offensively, the Chargers struggled in the red zone, scoring just two out of five times. Defensively, they allowed unexpected long touchdown passes early in the game. Notably, kicker Cameron Dicker missed his first career field goal from inside 40 yards, further contributing to the loss.
“It was a tough day all around,” Harbaugh said. “But I have total confidence in our team. We’ll bounce back.”
Crowd Support Matters
Quarterback Justin Herbert also acknowledged the vibrant support. “It was awesome to see so many Chargers fans there. We felt their energy,” he said. “I’m disappointed we couldn’t deliver a win for them, but it was a great experience to feel that community support.”
This kind of support is essential as teams head into the playoffs. Historical examples show that strong home-field advantages can significantly impact performance. Notably, during the 2015 NFL season, the Seattle Seahawks thrived at home, boasting one of the loudest stadiums, which contributed to their playoff run. Charger fans are similarly vital, creating an environment that inspires their team to push through tough times.
Source link
Homepage: CP,App: Homepage,Homepage: Headlines,Justin Herbert,Articles: 5 Takeaways
