Chargers Daily Links: Bolts remain steady in latest ESPN power rankings

The Bolts are 2-6, lost their ninth-straight game in the division, and are back on a losing streak. Despite all of that, NFL staff at ESPN didn’t feel the need to change the position of the Bolts in their latest power rankings. For the second week in a row, the Chargers are 23rd, right behind the 3-5 Denver Broncos and one spot ahead of the 3-6 Atlanta Falcons.

“The Chargers are close, but that only counts in horseshoes, really,” says Chargers beat writer Shelley Smith. “There were high expectations and Justin Herbert has created some more, but he needs some help if they are to reach their potential. Also, Anthony Lynn needs to keep his job and needs to pull out some wins to do that. He’s a players’ coach and that counts, especially with a team riddled with injuries and a rookie QB.”

Of their final eight games, two of them (Jets, Falcons) are currently ranked below them and half of them have losing records (Jets, Falcons, Patriots, Broncos). To avoid a losing season, the team needs to win six of their remaining games, but that’s a tall order when the Chargers finish the season with three-straight games against AFC West opponents, all of whom have already beat the Bolts this year.

It’s going to be a rough finish. Two weeks ago, things looked really good. That optimism was snuffed out with haste, unfortunately.

Now for today’s links.

Chargers News:

The Chargers have struggled with clock management this season (Pro Football Talk)

Check out Justin Herbert’s best throws from Sunday (Chargers.com)

Gavino Borquez highlights what the Chargers said after Sunday’s loss (Chargers Wire)

Jason Reed predicts the the team’s final record at the midway point (Bolt Beat)

NFL News:

Week 10 power rankings (ESPN)

The Falcons waived DE Takk McKinley (ESPN)

Cowboys rookie CB Trevon Diggs broke his foot against the Steelers (ESPN)

The Colts say they haven’t lost confidence in Jonathan Taylor (Pro Football Talk)

Winners and Losers from Week 9 (CBS Sports)

More Week 10 Power Rankings (Bleacher Report)