The Los Angeles Chargers have booked their first play-off spot in the Justin Herbert era after defeating the Indianapolis Colts on Boxing Day and they're set to be boosted by the return of their superstar player.
One of the best pass-rushers in the league, Joey Bosa has been out for practically the whole season thus far after suffering a groin injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars in week three of the campaign.
Bosa has struggled with injuries, but when he has been able to remain on the field he has been a dominant force since he entered the league in 2016, with 60 sacks in 77 starts for the Chargers.
And heading into the final games of the season, as well as the play-offs, Bosa will add a huge threat for the Chargers defensively, combining with Khalil Mack to form one of the best pass-rushing duo's in the league.
Along with Herbert at quarterback, the Chargers will be a dangerous team for any AFC side to face, with the quarterback still showing his qualities despite a disappointing third season in the league.
Chargers and NFL fans alike have been critical of the team's coaching in recent years, being too conservative on offense and limiting Herbert on what he's able to do, whilst being overly aggressive on defence and hurting themselves in the process.
But despite that, Herbert continues to do enough seemingly each week to keep the team competitive, and his job should be easier with Bosa back in the mix.
In Monday night's win over the Colts, the Chargers secondary picked off Nick Foles three times in an impressive defensive performance, while Herbert threw for 235 yards.
The Chargers will hope to continue winning in their last two weeks of the season, in the hopes of avoiding the two top teams in the AFC in the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.
The Colts are now eliminated from playoff contention, after a few brutal losses under new coach Jeff Saturday. Saturday had been an ESPN talk show host just days before he was surprisingly given the call to lead the team after Frank Reich's firing, but it's all gone south for him as head coach, compounded by their record-breaking defeat to the Minnesota Vikings, having been up 33-0 at half-time and losing 39-36.
