The Chargers allowed the fewest points in the NFL last season (301) and require a similarly stout defense to secure a foothold in the AFC West. The team opens in Brazil against the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs, then plays Las Vegas and Denver in consecutive weeks, making the first three games divisional matchups. Coach Jim Harbaugh praised the defense after a preseason strip sack and goal-line stand. Joey Bosa signed with Buffalo, ending a long tenure, while Khalil Mack re-signed and remains the front-line leader. Tuli Tuipulotu emerged as a promising edge rusher with 8½ sacks last season.
"The Chargers gave up the fewest points in the NFL last season (301) and will need that kind of stout performance again to get a firm foothold in the AFC West. They will be tested right away, as they open in Brazil against the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs - a team the Chargers haven't beaten since 2021 - then face Las Vegas and Denver in the following two weeks. All three division opponents in a row."
"They just played with a lot of want-to and I'm thrilled with that," Harbaugh told reporters. "I love guys that play like they want to be on this team. They want to show that they belong. That's the way they practice and that's the way they go out and play in the game. That warms the cockles of the heart."
"The leader up front is Khalil Mack, who is entering his 12th season and pointed to Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz in explaining why he decided to re-sign with the franchise this offseason. "Why not here?" Mack asked reporters. "Got tremendous leadership here. ... Knowing what Coach Harbaugh is building and what Joe is building, that was a no-brainer."
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