FOXBORO, Mass. — Jim Harbaugh burst into the locker room like the Kool-Aid Man. There was an open entrance, so he did not have to break down a wall. But considering the enthusiasm the Los Angeles Chargers coach was exuding, he probably could have shouldered through some drywall if necessary.

The Chargers clinched a playoff berth with their 40-7 drubbing of the New England Patriots, and Harbaugh felt the urge to wrap his arms around first-year general manager Joe Hortiz. Such is the delirium of an NFL team starting to hit its stride at the right time.

Last season the Los Angeles Chargers finished with a lowly 5-12 record. Now, after a blowout win over the New England Patriots, the Chargers are headed to the playoffs. More news: Saints Reveal Playing Status For WR Chris Olave For Week 17 But how could an organization make the shift from being a losing team to a playoff team in only a matter of months?