NFL 2025: Los Angeles Chargers Over/Under For Wins

• For the 2025 NFL season, oddsmakers have the Los Angeles Chargers’ over-under wins at 9.5
• The Chargers went 11-6 in 2024, but were beaten easily in the Wild Card by the Texans
• LA parted ways with star rusher Joey Bosa, but imported players more suitable to head coach Jim Harbaugh’s hard-hitting style of play

The Chargers Are Starting To Look Like a Jim Harbaugh Team

In Harbaugh’s first season at the helm, the Chargers experienced a remarkable turnaround from their 5-12 season in 2023 under head coach Brandon Staley and his interim replacement, Giff Smith, to 11-6 and a Wild Card playoff berth.

While it is a notable improvement, simple competence from an experienced head coach would have brought the Chargers to at least nine wins. That’s how bad things were under the micromanaging and analytics-obsessed Staley.

However, Harbaugh does bring with him his philosophy. He wants a strong running game, a punishing defense, and a quarterback who executes high percentage passes. In his second year, the team is bringing in players to bring that vision to life.

They Made Targeted Signings on Short-Term Deals

LA’s key departures were defensive end/linebacker Joey Bosa, defensive tackle Poona Ford, and running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins.

Bosa, 30, has been oft-injured in the past three seasons. It was probably time for both sides to move on. He signed with the Bills.

Ford stayed in LA and went to the Rams.

Edwards was released, and Dobbins signed with the Broncos.

The Chargers then beefed up the offensive line with center Andre James from the Raiders and guard Mekhi Becton from the Super Bowl champion Eagles. They will help protect quarterback Justin Herbert and open lanes for running backs Najee Harris (signed away from the Steelers on a one-year deal) and first-round draft pick out of North Carolina, Omarion Hampton.

They also signed veteran tight end Ty Conklin and reunited with wide receiver Mike Williams.

They made significant changes to the defense with the departures of Bosa and Ford, as well as the signings of defensive tackle Naquan Jones and Da’Shawn Hand, and cornerbacks Benjamin St-Juste and Donte Jackson.

These are not earth-shattering moves like the ones the Steelers have already made with Aaron Rodgers and Jalen Ramsey, but they fit in with what Harbaugh wants to create.

Does This Offense and Style Fit Justin Herbert?

In Herbert’s first four seasons, he was a controlled gunslinger, fearless in putting the ball in the air but judicious in avoiding turnovers. The on-field results were mixed, but the two might not be connected. In short, putting the freewheeling QB into a more constrained West Coast offense and focusing more on the running game might make sense on paper, but it could hold him back from what he does best.

In 2024, he threw for 3,870 yards, the second-fewest in his career, and that is due to him missing four games in 2023. His interception percentage was the best in the league. But does his offense fit him?

The Chargers do not have an obvious home run threat in their wide receiver room. Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnson, Williams, and rookies Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith are not the Justin Jefferson-type who is a threat to break the game open in a split second.

The Chargers are going to try and run the ball and beat the other team up on defense with Herbert’s arm making up for shortfalls. It’s Harbaugh’s system, and it’s certainly better than Staley’s, but is it ideal for the laser-armed QB?

The AFC West Had 3 Playoff Teams in 2024

LA will play two games each against the AFC Champion Chiefs, the Wild Card Broncos, and the new-look Raiders under Pete Carroll. They visit the Giants, Dolphins, Titans, Jaguars, and Cowboys. In LA, they will face the Commanders, Colts, Vikings, Steelers, Eagles, and Texans.

Chargers Over/Under For Wins

If the offense does not completely fit Herbert and the newly remade defense does not play as well as expected, the Chargers will be saved by their friendly schedule. They play seven non-playoff teams from 2024. Harbaugh’s teams have a tendency to rise and improve quickly once he gets his system in place. They might not win 11 games again, but they will win at least 10.