2. The defense has bounced back
The Bolts defense was downright dominant Sunday night, limiting the Steelers offense to just 221 yards while tallying 3.0 sacks and getting two takeaways while shutting down the run and the pass.
Unsurprisingly, the Bolts posted a defensive EPA per play of -0.379 on Sunday night per Pro Football Focus, which was their best mark of the 2025 season to date. (The previous best came in Week 8's win against the Vikings at -0.335).
That Week 8 game is noteworthy as it signaled a turnaround for a Bolts defense that had been up and down at times through the first seven games of the year.
According to PFF, the Chargers lead the NFL in defensive EPA per play of -0.333 during their three-game win streak.
Overall, the Bolts defense ranks eighth in defensive EPA per play at -0.057.
3. Inching toward the playoffs
With 10 games down and seven to go, the Chargers playoff chances are still a work in progress.
But it's clear that the Bolts have positioned themselves nicely as the calendar hits the middle of November.
The 7-3 Chargers currently occupy the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff picture and are only a game behind the 8-2 Broncos for first place in the AFC West.
The Chargers current postseason odds are at 82 percent (The Athletic), 81 percent (NFL Next Gen Stats) and 85 percent (ESPN).
According to The Athletic, the Bolts also have a 27 percent chance to win the AFC West.