Chargers knock off Steelers from playoffs in new projection

Nov 21, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) gets past Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) and defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) as he runs for a first down in the second half the game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Chargers are looking to turn things around and get back into the playoffs after finishing as one of the worst teams in the NFL.

For Sports Illustrated's Connor Orr, he believes Los Angeles will find their way back in the postseason, ultimately knocking off the Steelers for one of the spots.

In this exercise, Orr predicted six new teams to be added to the playoffs and mentioned which of last year’s playoff teams they would replace.

While I’m as curious as anyone as to how Greg Roman’s offense suits Justin Herbert, a QB you certainly wouldn’t want involved intricately in the running game, there’s no doubt the Chargers upgraded a team and got tougher across the board this offseason. Los Angeles starts the season with three very winnable games against the Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers and Steelers, not to mention the New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals coming off an early bye. Only that Chiefs game in Week 4 looks perilous. The rest are all winnable. And, let’s say the Chargers find some momentum early. They end the season with games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Broncos, Raiders and Patriots. What are the chances that three of those four teams have a losing record by the time Los Angeles gets them? What are the chances that all four of those teams have a losing record? I think we underrate scheduling as it pertains to these supposed “rising” teams only to see the teams with a generous schedule get their comeuppance a year later.

Turning a bottom-of-the-barrel team into a playoff team in one offseason is not to be expected. However, when you have Justin Herbert under center, top-end talent at various positions, Jim Harbaugh leading the team and one of the easiest schedules in the league, there’s a strong chance of playing beyond the regular season.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers knock off Steelers from playoffs in new projection