The Chargers got back over .500 after defeating the Saints last Sunday.
After Week 8, let’s see where Los Angeles stands in NFL power rankings:
USA Today: 18 (Previous: 19)
“They’re getting nice returns from their rookie class. Per Next Gen Stats, RT Joe Alt didn’t concede one pressure on 38 pass-blocking plays Sunday, tied for the best showing by a rook in the past three seasons. Meanwhile WR Ladd McConkey’s six-catch, 111-yard, two-TD game might have cemented him as QB Justin Herbert’s primary target for years to come. McConkey’s 100-yard day was the first by a Bolts rookie in 11 years.”
NFL: 15 (Previous: 17)
“The Chargers offense remains a work in progress. It broke an eight-quarter TD-less streak and the wide receivers finally broke out, with Ladd McConkey catching two second-half scoring passes. Oh, and it was their fifth turnover-free game this season. But there were too many pass-protection breakdowns to call it a good day offensively, even while scoring a season-high 26 points. Justin Herbert was sacked three times and hit four more, with every starting lineman other than rookie Joe Alt allowing multiple pressures. Herbert also escaped a few would-be sacks, turning one into a career-best 38-yard scramble, but he needs better protection. The eight points the Chargers’ defense allowed Sunday were their second-fewest on the season, and c’s unit has yet to give up more than 20, so this one fit the theme of previous victories. Right now, keeping Herbert healthy feels like the most overwhelming concern.”
ESPN: 17 (Previous: 18)
Best offseason addition: Running back J.K. Dobbins
“After the Chargers’ win over the Saints, coach Jim Harbaugh used his news conference to campaign for Dobbins as the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. “If I am the first to nominate him, then so be it,” Harbaugh said. After an Achilles tear ended Dobbins’ season in Week 1 last year, he has been one of the league’s best running backs. He is sixth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (76.4) and is tied for sixth in rushes of 10-plus yards (14).”
CBS Sports: 16 (Previous: 20)
“At 4-3, the defense has really come up big for this group. The good thing about the offense is Justin Herbert is starting to throw it around more.”
Sports Illustrated: 13 (Previous: 19)
“The Chargers’ post-Brandon Staley identity was certainly not one I would have predicted. Sans Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, the stars of this team are the drone-like Ladd McConkey and the absolutely horrifying 300-pound fullback, Scott Matlock. Staley knew this team had to be tougher but struggled to find the right fits for these pieces. The Chargers are not perfect but they’re starting to make some sense. This week’s Browns matchup, with the surging Broncos also facing a difficult test, is quietly fascinating.”
Bleacher Report: 15 (Previous: 20)
“The Chargers offense is a different animal when it can actually stretch the field with wide receivers. They were able to do that with a healthy McConkey on Sunday, and I expect to see continued offensive growth once Quentin Johnston (ankle) returns to the lineup. If head coach Jim Harbaugh can marry even an average offense to the league’s top-ranked scoring defense, Los Angeles should be relevant over the second half of the season.”
“However, I still believe L.A. is a year away from being a contender. The closest thing the Chargers have to a quality win has come against the Broncos—and the jury is still very much out on Denver. Still, the Chargers might not need to be great to slip into the postseason. They’ll have a chance to pad their record with upcoming games against the Browns, Titans and Bengals.”
