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Defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia was a Charger the last time they made the playoffs and sees something different in the current team. (Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
The joy of clinching a playoff berth didn’t erase the pain of Otito Ogbonnia’s last postseason memory. Perhaps the Chargers’ 27-point collapse in Jacksonville two years ago only enhanced the thrill of returning to the playoffs this season for the third-year defensive tackle.
“Without where we’ve been,” Ogbonnia said, “I don’t know if you get a season like this.”
Back in the playoffs for the first time since 2022, many of the Chargers’ returning players have not forgotten their catastrophic wild-card loss to Jacksonville.. They haven’t fully escaped last year’s 5-12 debacle.
Fueled by the disappointments, they return Sunday to the scene of last year’s biggest embarrassment to finish the regular season against their AFC West rival Las Vegas Raiders. In the rivalry’s last game in Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders hung 63 points on the Chargers. Coach Brandon Staley was fired the next day.
When reminded of the blowout loss, outside linebacker Khalil Mack half-jokes he doesn’t even remember it. So much has happened since.
Read more: Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders: How to watch, predictions and betting odds
The Raiders (4-12) are now the ones with a coaching hot-seat question. The Chargers (10-6) could reach 11 wins for just the second time in the last 15 seasons.
They clinched a playoff berth with a dominant performance last Saturday, leaving no doubt in a 40-7 blowout over New England. The cross-country trip with an early start time felt like a potential tripping point, even against a team that was well outside of the playoff picture.
Not for these Chargers, who have been burned too many times to let up.
“We’ve been through tough times and everyone [is] still standing and they’re doing their best,” quarterback Justin Herbert said. “To fight through that, and to see it on the other side, is…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/closing-regular-season-against-raiders-110056579.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2025-01-03 11:00:00
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