Justin Herbert, Chargers flash potential. Can they put it all together?

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Trailing at halftime to the Denver Broncos in a game critical to the Los Angeles Chargers' playoff hopes, head coach Jim Harbaugh implored his tone setter on defense Derwin James to deliver some inspiration.

James didn't disappoint.

"It's time to go," James said he told his teammates. "It's time to play. We don't need no coach to give us a speech right now. It's on the players."

James kept it simple. And it worked, as the Chargers stormed back in the second half, outscoring the Broncos 21-6 over the final two periods to defeat Denver, 34-27, on Thursday at SoFi Stadium. The win upped the Bolts' record to 9-6, putting them on the brink of the postseason in Harbaugh's first season in Los Angeles.

With the win, the Chargers have a 97% chance of reaching the playoffs according to NFL Next Gen stats. They can even clinch this weekend if the Miami Dolphins lose to the San Francisco 49ers, and the Indianapolis Colts lose to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

The victory ended a rough stretch for the Chargers, as they had lost three of their last four games entering Thursday's contest.

But the Chargers got a signature performance from their best player. Quarterback Justin Herbert played lights out, completing 23 of 31 passes for 284 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception for a 106.6 passer rating. Both of Herbert's TD passes came in the fourth quarter — a 19-yard pass to receiver Derius Davis and a toss to running back Hassan Haskins for a 34-yard reception.

"He's phenomenal," Ladd McConkey told FOX Sports. The rookie receiver led the Chargers with six receptions for 87 yards. "He's a dang warrior. He comes out every single day and puts his best foot forward. We know we've got a chance when he's back