End of Season, so many don't do their Power Rankings. First group, individuals:
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Dalton Miller - Pro Football Network 16 (LW 11)
The Chargers had one of the best offenses in the NFL. The Raiders defense has struggled mightily since their hot start to the season. But none of that mattered on Sunday night. LA couldn't find any sort of groove offensively until the end of regulation.
Drops and penalties were also a factor against Las Vegas. It felt like the Chargers dropped more passes on the final drive alone than some teams have all season. But Justin Herbert wrote the first chapter of his biography tonight. Unfortunately, when it looked like the Raiders might be playing for the tie, Herbert's head coach called a timeout for some reason. Then, the Raiders decided to send them home, even if it meant risking a missed kick returned for a TD.
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Matt Johnson - Sportsnaut 15 (LW 12)
There will be a lot of focus on Brandon Staley's decision to call a timeout, but that wasn't the real problem. With a playoff spot on the line, a front seven that allowed nearly 140 rushing yards per game showed up once again. There is enough skill talent to compete with anyone in the NFL and Justin Herbert is capable of winning a Super Bowl, but Los Angeles needs to overhaul its interior defensive line this offseason.
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Russell S. Baxter - Fansided 14 (LW 15)
It has been an up-and-down year for first-time NFL head coach rain Brandon Staley and the erratic Chargers. But a victory on Sunday at Las Vegas would not only complete a season sweep of the Raiders but send the Bolts to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Justin Herbert threw for 383 yards and one score. But the Chargers' defense gave up 174 yards on the ground. The game would reach overtime and Staley's team was beaten on the final play.
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Frank Schwab - Yahoo Sports 15 (LW 14)
Let's be clear: Brandon Staley's timeout in overtime, which came with the play clock almost expired, wasn't what changed things. The Raiders still ran the ball after the timeout and had it been stuffed, they were very unlikely to even try a field goal from 57 or more yards. Instead Las Vegas gained 10 yards, and that's what led to the field-goal attempt. But to some, it's a chance to dunk on Staley. It's just disingenuous.
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Walter Cherepinsky - Walter Football 13 (LW 12)
No blurb - Overrated team
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Pete Prisco - CBS Sports 15 (LW 11)
There will be a lot of questions about the decisions Brandon Staley made this year, especially in the final game. Justin Herbert is too good to be watching the playoffs
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Dan Hanzus - NFL.com 15 (LW 13)
The Chargers nearly pulled it off. Justin Herbert willed the Bolts back to life against the Raiders with two touchdown drives in the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter, including an unforgettable game-tying march that included multiple fourth-and-long conversions and a touchdown pass to Mike Williams on the last play of regulation. Los Angeles couldn't complete the comeback in overtime, however, ending another season for a star-crossed franchise that always seems to leave its fans asking, "What if?" The first order of business in the offseason: Identify a solution that addresses the team's most crippling deficiency -- run defense.
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Dalton Miller - Pro Football Network 16 (LW 11)
The Chargers had one of the best offenses in the NFL. The Raiders defense has struggled mightily since their hot start to the season. But none of that mattered on Sunday night. LA couldn't find any sort of groove offensively until the end of regulation.
Drops and penalties were also a factor against Las Vegas. It felt like the Chargers dropped more passes on the final drive alone than some teams have all season. But Justin Herbert wrote the first chapter of his biography tonight. Unfortunately, when it looked like the Raiders might be playing for the tie, Herbert's head coach called a timeout for some reason. Then, the Raiders decided to send them home, even if it meant risking a missed kick returned for a TD.
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Matt Johnson - Sportsnaut 15 (LW 12)
There will be a lot of focus on Brandon Staley's decision to call a timeout, but that wasn't the real problem. With a playoff spot on the line, a front seven that allowed nearly 140 rushing yards per game showed up once again. There is enough skill talent to compete with anyone in the NFL and Justin Herbert is capable of winning a Super Bowl, but Los Angeles needs to overhaul its interior defensive line this offseason.
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Russell S. Baxter - Fansided 14 (LW 15)
It has been an up-and-down year for first-time NFL head coach rain Brandon Staley and the erratic Chargers. But a victory on Sunday at Las Vegas would not only complete a season sweep of the Raiders but send the Bolts to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Justin Herbert threw for 383 yards and one score. But the Chargers' defense gave up 174 yards on the ground. The game would reach overtime and Staley's team was beaten on the final play.
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Frank Schwab - Yahoo Sports 15 (LW 14)
Let's be clear: Brandon Staley's timeout in overtime, which came with the play clock almost expired, wasn't what changed things. The Raiders still ran the ball after the timeout and had it been stuffed, they were very unlikely to even try a field goal from 57 or more yards. Instead Las Vegas gained 10 yards, and that's what led to the field-goal attempt. But to some, it's a chance to dunk on Staley. It's just disingenuous.
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Walter Cherepinsky - Walter Football 13 (LW 12)
No blurb - Overrated team
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Pete Prisco - CBS Sports 15 (LW 11)
There will be a lot of questions about the decisions Brandon Staley made this year, especially in the final game. Justin Herbert is too good to be watching the playoffs
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Dan Hanzus - NFL.com 15 (LW 13)
The Chargers nearly pulled it off. Justin Herbert willed the Bolts back to life against the Raiders with two touchdown drives in the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter, including an unforgettable game-tying march that included multiple fourth-and-long conversions and a touchdown pass to Mike Williams on the last play of regulation. Los Angeles couldn't complete the comeback in overtime, however, ending another season for a star-crossed franchise that always seems to leave its fans asking, "What if?" The first order of business in the offseason: Identify a solution that addresses the team's most crippling deficiency -- run defense.
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