Chargers Week 11 power rankings roundup

With their third-straight loss, the Chargers have dropped and dropped and dropped some more.

But what the heck is going on with NFL.com and their oddly stubborn love for the Bolts? When they were 2-4 and things looked to be on the upturn ahead of a soft schedule, I could understand why analyst Dan Hanzus continued to be optimistic about the how the good the team “really” was.

But now that they sit at 2-7, it’s alarming that he still hasn’t dropped them into the bottom eight in the league.

But shoot, if Hanzus can continue to give this team the benefit of the doubt, maybe there’s a sliver of hope lying around somewhere.

Anyways, here is the plethora of power rankings for the Chargers across the media landscape. One is obviously not like the other.

NFL.com - #19

“Justin Herbert was due a pedestrian performance. It finally happened Sunday at Miami in a 29-21 loss to the Dolphins that dropped the Chargers to 2-7 and all but out of AFC playoff contention with nearly half the season to play. Herbert managed just 187 passing yards against Brian Flores’ stingy defense, 77 fewer yards than the 264 yards he put up against the Saints in his previous lowest output. The showdown with fellow first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa didn’t quite live up to the hype, though Tua did enjoy the better day. The bright side for the Bolts? At least they didn’t lose in crushing fashion this time around.” — Dan Hanzus

USA Today - #25

“How crazy has their season been? Beat the Jets by 20 Sunday – well within realm of possibility – and Bolts will have outscored opposition in 2020.” — Nate Davis

ESPN - #25

“The Chargers might have upset the reigning Super Bowl champions in Week 2 had they just gone for it instead of punting on fourth-and-short on their first overtime possession. Instead, the Chargers chose to punt and give the ball to Patrick Mahomes, who led the Chiefs to a winning field goal. This was the first of many close, frustrating losses the Chargers have had, and it set a tone that wasn’t good.” — Shelley Smith

Bleacher Report - #25

From the moment that Justin Herbert took the reins for the Los Angeles Chargers offense, the rookie from Oregon has played well. Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins was no exception. Even in one of his shakier outings of the year, Herbert still threw for 187 yards and two scores.

But as has been the case far too often this season, the Chargers just can’t get wins. In Week 10, Herbert came up on the short end of a duel with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was taken one pick before him in the 2020 draft. Despite the setback, Herbert told reporters after the game that he remains confident the Bolts can turn things around.

“It’s a long season and a lot of football left to be played,” Herbert said. “I know going forward, we’re going to be better, and we’re going to continue do things in practice and get better.”

That sentiment would be easier to buy into if the Chargers weren’t 1-7 with Herbert as their starting quarterback. — NFL Staff

CBS Sports - #26

“The good news against Miami: It wasn’t a heartbreaking loss. The bad news: It was another loss, which means their playoff hopes are basically shot.” — Pete Prisco

Pro Football Talk - #29

“They have the best quarterback in L.A., but it doesn’t matter.” — Mike Florio