INGLEWOOD, Calif. — At Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh’s introductory press conference in February, he described the goal of changing the Chargers’ culture from that of a team with popular powder-blue uniforms to one that is physical and wears down other teams in the final stages of games.

Harbaugh’s speech was prescient – because his vision came true on Sunday with the 22-10 victory over the Oakland Raiders. LA outscored its division rivals 15-3 in the fourth quarter and put together one of the team’s best running performances in franchise history.

“Wins are hard to come by. Everyone in the locker room knows that, including me,” Harbaugh said. “It’s really hard to win a game in the NFL, and I take my hat off to absolutely everyone in the organization, especially those who have done the dirty work here.”

It was Harbaugh’s first game in the NFL since 2014, when he was head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. He improved his NFL record to 45-19-1, the fifth-best winning percentage (.700) for a head coach in NFL history.

Owner Dean Spanos interrupted Harbaugh’s postgame speech with game balls for Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz, which drew loud cheers from Harbaugh and the players. After the game, Harbaugh said he felt “really happy and satisfied.”

“To have a guy that leads like that and a locker room that supports him and follows him, you know, it’s a special day for him too to get his first win,” quarterback Justin Herbert said.

It was an eventful return for Harbaugh, who sprinted onto the field in the fourth quarter to break up what he called a “scuffle” between players. Referees ejected Chargers WR Joshua Palmer and Raiders CB Jack Jones for a brawl involving multiple players from both teams.

“I’m just trying to get our guys back, separate them and make sure the other guys keep going,” Harbaugh said. “I was just trying to break it up.”

The Chargers were buoyed by their defense, which kept them in the game while the offense struggled. Harbaugh was particularly impressed with Joey Bosa, who had a sack, a forced fumble and seven tackles. Khalil Mack also had 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

While the defense dominated, the offense stagnated. In the first three quarters, they had completed six plays in the red zone that resulted in six yards of gain. That changed in the fourth quarter when running back JK Dobbins broke free for a 12-yard touchdown. Later in the quarter, Dobbins broke free for a 61-yard run that set up a 10-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey that essentially decided the game.

Dobbins finished the game with 10 carries for 135 yards and 1 TD. It was one of the best opening games by a running back in Chargers history. For that performance, Harbaugh gave Dobbins his game ball. (Although he told Dobbins he would need the ball back after his speech.)

Dobbins averaged 13.5 yards per carry, more than any other running back in a season opener in NFL history, and his 135 rushing yards are the most of any player in his first game with the Chargers.

It was the kind of performance Dobbins had predicted to reporters months ago when he announced a “special” season was coming. Injuries plagued Dobbins, who has played in just 24 of a possible 74 games since being signed by the Baltimore Ravens in 2020.

He signed a one-year, $1,610,000 contract with the Chargers, with only $50,000 guaranteed in the offseason.

After the game, Dobbins said he was “so disappointed” with his performance because he was overrun and tackled by defenders from behind on his two long runs of 61 and 46 yards.

“I need to get in shape,” Dobbins said. “I thought I was in shape, but I wasn’t.”