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It's Tuesday, so it's time for the weekly Power Rankings... Chargers only. A few may have dropped off, or gone behind a paywall (Sagrin), and some may be added as I find them. I'll summarize the rankings and ratings later this week.
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Vinnie Iyer - Sporting News 9 (LW 8)
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/...dczrbv4xq6op5p
Don't sleep on the other team in L.A., now coached by Staley. He will have a big influence in getting the defense to perform up to its talent level with Joey Bosa as the centerpiece. The other side is just as promising with Justin Herbert in Year 2 with fine weapons and an offense that might be better suited to him.
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Frank Schwab - Yahoo Sports 14 (LW 12)
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-r...120033958.html
The Chargers had a quiet preseason. That's good, because they usually seem to be one of the NFL's snakebitten teams before the season ever starts. It's very easy to talk yourself into the Chargers having a nice breakout.
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Walter Cherepinsky - Walter Football 8 (LW 9)
The Chargers had an amazing offseason. They made great upgrades to their offensive line, which has to please Justin Herbert. The defense incurred some losses, but the important thing is that the Chargers found three new blockers to protect Herbert. With the much-improved offensive line, I expect the Chargers to win 11-12 games and make the playoffs this year.
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Dan Hanzus - NFL.com 12 (LW 12)
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-r...-season-on-top
On a recent Around The NFL Podcast, I listed the Chargers as a winner of the training camp/preseason portion of the calendar for the simple fact that they got out of the summer without losing any of their stars to a major injury. Real Bolts fans know roster health should never be assumed, but first-year coach Brandon Staley managed to break camp with a talented roster locked and loaded for Week 1 against Washington. The team also made an attempt to address its epic special teams woes by parting ways with kicker Michael Badgley in favor of Tristan Vizcaino, who has one game of NFL regular season experience. Sometimes you have to cash out on the Money Badger.
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Pete Prisco - CBS Sports 20 (LW 19)
I don't see a sophomore slump for Justin Herbert, which means the offense will be explosive behind an improved offensive line. The defense gets back Derwin James, which will help that side grow.
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Mike Florio - PFT/NBC Sports 8 (LW -)
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ower-rankings/
On paper, the Chargers arguably should land even higher. They have to both stay healthy and prove it.
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Matt Verderame - Fansided.com 11 (LW -)
https://fansided.com/2021/09/07/nfl-...aneers-chiefs/
The Chargers arent a Super Bowl team, but Justin Herbert can lead them deep into January.
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Nate Davis - USA Today 12 (LW 19)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ys/5749766001/
They didn't show much in preseason, yet new coach Brandon Staley's cautious approach also prevented the Bolts from suffering the catastrophic injury that typically befalls them. Still, a new staff and schemes could mean slow start with Washington, Dallas and K.C. on September lineup.
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Adam Chernoff - Covers.com 20 (LW -)
Rating: 42
Win total: 9.5 (Under -129)
The Los Angeles Chargers enter every season with high expectations due to consistent strong roster construction. The big difference this season is that the bar is set higher than ever before and is fueled by their 2020 performance.
The Chargers win total of 9.5 is gigantic coming out of the ultra-competitive AFC West. The optimism behind Justin Herbert is incredibly lofty. The joy that Antony Lynn is no longer in the picture is overwhelming. But let this question be asked... how much of 2020 is sustainable in 2021?
Herbert had a phenomenal season, but he led the league in passer rating when under pressure. When throwing from a clean pocket, he was one of the 10 lowest-rated quarterbacks in the league. Performance under pressure for quarterbacks does not historically translate season to season. Brandon Staley led the Rams to a league-leading defense. However, seven of 16 games were played against backup or first-time starting quarterbacks. How does he look in an entirely new role and system?
The offensive talent is there, and the schedule is easy, but there is a lot of trust in 2020 carrying over into 2021 despite the outliers within the numbers.
Bet the Under:
Herbert is a prime regression candidate due to outlying performance under pressure in 2020
Staley is unproven as a head coach and benefitted from an extremely easy schedule in 2020
Multiple long-term defensive starters departed
Bet the Over:
The Chargers face one of the five easiest overall schedules outside of division matchups
Best offensive line in the last decade for Los Angeles
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Bleacher Report Consensus 15 (LW x)
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ntering-week-1
Week 1: at Washington
After an impressive rookie season from Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, expectations are high for the Chargers in Brandon Staley's first year as head coach. As Robert Mays wrote for the Athletic, Staley and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi have made a concerted effort to craft the team's offense around their young quarterback.
"I think we've done a good job of truly creating an offense for him," Staley said. "And one that he feels confident in each and every play. That's what's been fun. Because you can see it in the way he plays and how that ball comes off his hand, what his footwork and his rhythm and timing look like. I think there's been some good signs here that would lead to believe he's in a real comfort zone."
Herbert has talent around him, and the offensive line should be improved with the addition of veteran center Corey Linsley and rookie tackle Rashawn Slater. If Joey Bosa, Kenneth Murray and the Chargers defense can hold their own as well, the Bolts could at least be a factor in the wild-card race in the AFC.
"The Chargers are packed with potential for Coach Staley to harness," Sobleski wrote. "The team has made smart move after smart move this offseason. Staley's defensive scheme should make that side of the ball even better. The staff plans to build its offensive approach through Herbert. More importantly, general manager Tom Telesco built a strong offensive front to maximize Herbert's capabilities."
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Vinnie Iyer - Sporting News 9 (LW 8)
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/...dczrbv4xq6op5p
Don't sleep on the other team in L.A., now coached by Staley. He will have a big influence in getting the defense to perform up to its talent level with Joey Bosa as the centerpiece. The other side is just as promising with Justin Herbert in Year 2 with fine weapons and an offense that might be better suited to him.
----
Frank Schwab - Yahoo Sports 14 (LW 12)
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-r...120033958.html
The Chargers had a quiet preseason. That's good, because they usually seem to be one of the NFL's snakebitten teams before the season ever starts. It's very easy to talk yourself into the Chargers having a nice breakout.
----
Walter Cherepinsky - Walter Football 8 (LW 9)
The Chargers had an amazing offseason. They made great upgrades to their offensive line, which has to please Justin Herbert. The defense incurred some losses, but the important thing is that the Chargers found three new blockers to protect Herbert. With the much-improved offensive line, I expect the Chargers to win 11-12 games and make the playoffs this year.
----
Dan Hanzus - NFL.com 12 (LW 12)
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-r...-season-on-top
On a recent Around The NFL Podcast, I listed the Chargers as a winner of the training camp/preseason portion of the calendar for the simple fact that they got out of the summer without losing any of their stars to a major injury. Real Bolts fans know roster health should never be assumed, but first-year coach Brandon Staley managed to break camp with a talented roster locked and loaded for Week 1 against Washington. The team also made an attempt to address its epic special teams woes by parting ways with kicker Michael Badgley in favor of Tristan Vizcaino, who has one game of NFL regular season experience. Sometimes you have to cash out on the Money Badger.
----
Pete Prisco - CBS Sports 20 (LW 19)
I don't see a sophomore slump for Justin Herbert, which means the offense will be explosive behind an improved offensive line. The defense gets back Derwin James, which will help that side grow.
----
Mike Florio - PFT/NBC Sports 8 (LW -)
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ower-rankings/
On paper, the Chargers arguably should land even higher. They have to both stay healthy and prove it.
----
Matt Verderame - Fansided.com 11 (LW -)
https://fansided.com/2021/09/07/nfl-...aneers-chiefs/
The Chargers arent a Super Bowl team, but Justin Herbert can lead them deep into January.
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Nate Davis - USA Today 12 (LW 19)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ys/5749766001/
They didn't show much in preseason, yet new coach Brandon Staley's cautious approach also prevented the Bolts from suffering the catastrophic injury that typically befalls them. Still, a new staff and schemes could mean slow start with Washington, Dallas and K.C. on September lineup.
----
Adam Chernoff - Covers.com 20 (LW -)
Rating: 42
Win total: 9.5 (Under -129)
The Los Angeles Chargers enter every season with high expectations due to consistent strong roster construction. The big difference this season is that the bar is set higher than ever before and is fueled by their 2020 performance.
The Chargers win total of 9.5 is gigantic coming out of the ultra-competitive AFC West. The optimism behind Justin Herbert is incredibly lofty. The joy that Antony Lynn is no longer in the picture is overwhelming. But let this question be asked... how much of 2020 is sustainable in 2021?
Herbert had a phenomenal season, but he led the league in passer rating when under pressure. When throwing from a clean pocket, he was one of the 10 lowest-rated quarterbacks in the league. Performance under pressure for quarterbacks does not historically translate season to season. Brandon Staley led the Rams to a league-leading defense. However, seven of 16 games were played against backup or first-time starting quarterbacks. How does he look in an entirely new role and system?
The offensive talent is there, and the schedule is easy, but there is a lot of trust in 2020 carrying over into 2021 despite the outliers within the numbers.
Bet the Under:
Herbert is a prime regression candidate due to outlying performance under pressure in 2020
Staley is unproven as a head coach and benefitted from an extremely easy schedule in 2020
Multiple long-term defensive starters departed
Bet the Over:
The Chargers face one of the five easiest overall schedules outside of division matchups
Best offensive line in the last decade for Los Angeles
----
Bleacher Report Consensus 15 (LW x)
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ntering-week-1
Week 1: at Washington
After an impressive rookie season from Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, expectations are high for the Chargers in Brandon Staley's first year as head coach. As Robert Mays wrote for the Athletic, Staley and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi have made a concerted effort to craft the team's offense around their young quarterback.
"I think we've done a good job of truly creating an offense for him," Staley said. "And one that he feels confident in each and every play. That's what's been fun. Because you can see it in the way he plays and how that ball comes off his hand, what his footwork and his rhythm and timing look like. I think there's been some good signs here that would lead to believe he's in a real comfort zone."
Herbert has talent around him, and the offensive line should be improved with the addition of veteran center Corey Linsley and rookie tackle Rashawn Slater. If Joey Bosa, Kenneth Murray and the Chargers defense can hold their own as well, the Bolts could at least be a factor in the wild-card race in the AFC.
"The Chargers are packed with potential for Coach Staley to harness," Sobleski wrote. "The team has made smart move after smart move this offseason. Staley's defensive scheme should make that side of the ball even better. The staff plans to build its offensive approach through Herbert. More importantly, general manager Tom Telesco built a strong offensive front to maximize Herbert's capabilities."
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