EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Coach Jim Harbaugh had more than just a fresh haircut to elevate his spirits on Monday. The Los Angeles Chargers have reached a commendable 5-3 record at the season’s midpoint, currently holding the sixth seed in the AFC following their recent 27-10 win over the Cleveland Browns.

After entering the bye week with a balanced 2-2 record, the Chargers have improved significantly, winning three out of their last four games, with two consecutive victories by margins of 17 points or more. They are showcasing their best performance of the season thus far.

A key factor in the Chargers’ resurgence has been the emphasis on mental resilience, a concept Harbaugh has stressed since taking the helm on January 24. Even though quarterback Justin Herbert faced six sacks in the first half against the Browns, the Chargers still enjoyed a 20-3 lead by halftime. Herbert managed to connect on crucial long passes, while the defense held the opposition to just 57 total yards and recorded four sacks.

“We didn’t let ourselves get discouraged or emotionally derailed when things went awry; we continued to persevere. Fortune favors those who press on,” Harbaugh remarked.

While the offense has started to hit its stride over the last three weeks, the defense has consistently been one of the league’s elite units. The Chargers are only conceding an average of 12.6 points per game, marking them as the best in the league. They also join a select group of teams since 1990, being the first since the 2019 New England Patriots, to allow 20 or fewer points in each of their first eight games in a season.

Under defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, the Chargers have forced opposing offenses into three-and-out situations 28.9% of the time, the second-highest rate leaguewide. For comparison, during Brandon Staley’s nearly three years as head coach and defensive play-caller, that figure was just 19.6%.

“The synergy between the pass rush and coverage is impressive. Sometimes, even if the pass rush isn’t getting to the quarterback, the secondary is exceptionally tight,” Harbaugh noted.

What’s driving the Chargers’ success is a healthier Herbert, allowing the downfield passing game to flourish once more. In the past four games, he completed 28 of 48 attempts for 700 yards and four touchdowns on throws of at least 10 yards. In contrast, during the first four games of the season, while still recovering from an injury to his plantar fascia and a high ankle sprain, he only managed to complete 7 of 23 passes for 150 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception on similar throws.

However, Herbert’s success comes despite issues with pass protection. He was sacked a personal record of six times by the Browns, all occurring in the first half as the Chargers led 20-3 at halftime. Remarkably, he achieved a perfect passer rating of 158.3 during the first half, becoming the first quarterback since 2000 to do so while being sacked six or more times.

The challenges for the offensive line were highlighted by right tackle Joe Alt, drafted fifth overall in April, who allowed two sacks during this game. Herbert has faced pressure on 39.3% of his drop-backs this season, ranking as the ninth-highest percentage among starting quarterbacks, with one-third of his plays facing five or more rushers.

J.K. Dobbins, the running back, is making a strong case for the AP Comeback Player of the Year. After suffering a season-ending Achilles injury last year, Dobbins has rushed for 620 yards in just eight games, placing him fifth for players with such limited appearances. He has recorded four games with at least 80 rushing yards, including 85 yards against Cleveland, and scored two touchdowns in this outing, marking the third time in his career with such a feat.

Defensive back Elijah Molden, who joined the team from Tennessee after preseason, is tied for second in the AFC with three interceptions. He contributed to the victory over the Browns by intercepting a tipped pass in the end zone.

On the downside, left guard Zion Johnson has permitted 21 quarterback pressures this season, ranking eighth among guards, according to Pro Football Focus. Additionally, kicker Cameron Dicker has struggled, missing three extra points this season — two coming recently — and saw his streak of 58 consecutive made field goals from within 50 yards come to an end against the Browns.

In terms of injuries, running back Gus Edwards (ankle) and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (shoulder) are eligible to return from injured reserve this week. Linebacker Junior Colson left the game with an ankle injury and was unable to return, while wide receiver Simi Fehoko sustained an elbow injury late in the game, leaving their status uncertain for the upcoming match against Tennessee.

Noteworthy statistics include the defense’s impressive tally of just 10 touchdowns allowed, tying with teams from 1961 and ’65 for the fewest in franchise history through eight games. Quarterback Herbert has thrown 48 touchdown passes on third down since the 2020 season, placing him second in the league — Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes leads with 55.

Looking ahead, the Chargers are set to embark on a series of three consecutive home games, starting with the 2-6 Titans this upcoming Sunday. They will also face the Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) in a prime-time matchup on November 17, followed by a Monday night contest against the Baltimore Ravens (6-3) on November 25. This game will mark the third coaching encounter between Jim and John Harbaugh.