Chargers Week 6 power rankings roundup

The only thing that has kept the Chargers from taking a drastic fall among the media’s power rankings has been the spectacular play of rookie quarterback Justin Herbert. Even after four-straight losses, they haven’t even fallen into the bottom quarter NFL clubs. Heck even one publication has them a few spots away from being in the top half of the league.

That’s how good they believe this team can be. It speaks volumes about this potential.

Below you’ll find a roundup of excerpts from various NFL power rankings along with their accompanying blurbs about the Chargers.

Enjoy!

NFL.com - #18

“You just knew Mike Badgley was doomed the moment ESPN’s Steve Levy told America the kicker had trademarked his “Money Badger” nickname. Moments later, Badgely’s 50-yard game-winning field-goal attempt banged off the right upright and fell to the turf, the beginning of the end in a painful 30-27 overtime loss to the Saints. Even in defeat, the Chargers have to be feeling incredibly optimistic about their future after Justin Herbert delivered the greatest performance by a rookie QB in Monday Night Football history. Herbert sees the field in a way that is so rare for a passer of his experience — if a corner bites on a double move or a safety wanders out of position, he punishes defenses without impunity. He’s a silver lining in the form of a lightning bolt.” —Dan Hanzus

ESPN - #20

“The Chargers very well could have started 4-0 instead of 1-3 if it weren’t for their minus-4 turnover ratio. Anthony Lynn, though, is now working with a rookie quarterback in Justin Herbert and a rookie running back in Joshua Kelley (after Austin Ekeler went down with a nasty hamstring injury). The coach has to be a patient or pull out what’s left of his hair to cope. There’s no fun in Costa Mesa right now. And that was before the Chargers had their bye week moved up.” — Shelley Smith

Pro Football Talk - #21

“They’re too good to be 1-4.” — Mike Florio

Bleacher Report - #22

The Los Angeles Chargers have become the zen masters of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Last year (per ESPN’s telecast of Monday’s game), the Bolts tied an NFL record by losing nine one-score games.

The Chargers are on pace to break that record in 2020. By blowing a 20-3 lead in New Orleans and falling to the Saints in overtime, the Chargers just lost their fourth one-score game in a row.

In Week 5.

That immensely depressing factoid aside, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Chargers. In rookie Justin Herbert, Los Angeles appears to have gotten just what it wanted when it drafted the former Oregon star sixth overall: a franchise quarterback. Herbert was mostly outstanding against the Saints, passing for 264 yards and a Monday Night Football rookie record with four touchdown passes. That feat was all the more impressive when you consider he was without top wideout Keenan Allen for most of the game after he left with a back injury.

Things are looking up in Herbertville. Provided, that is, they can eventually figure out the whole one-score thing. — NFL Staff

CBS Sports - #22

“They aren’t winning games, but they have their long-term answer at quarterback in Justin Herbert. That matters a ton.” — Pete Prisco