Chargers Week 12 power rankings roundup

Over the past three weeks, the Chargers dropped only slightly down various power rankings during a three-game skid. If losing three games in a row meant just a minor fall, I was curious what would happen when the team won their next game.

Well, they won, and most publications were quick to lift the Bolts up a couple of spots. To no one’s surprise at this point, NFL.com has the Bolts right there in the middle of the pack at #17 with six teams behind them that hold a better record.

Dan Hanzus, thank you for loving the Chargers as much as the rest of us.

Here are the latest round of rankings for the Chargers across the top media outlets.

NFL.com - #17

“On the day his only other true competitor for Offensive Rookie Of The Year went down with a season-ending knee injury, Justin Herbert delivered another performance that left the Chargers feeling extremely optimistic about their future. Herbert picked apart an overmatched Jets secondary for 366 yards and three TDs, becoming the first rookie in NFL history to have five games with at least three scoring passes. Herbert did much of his damage with the great Keenan Allen, who set a franchise single-game record with 16 catches for 145 yards and a score. Sixteen! The Chargers once again showed off their seemingly unshakable trait of allowing their opponent to hang around late in the game, but the defense got the necessary stop to close out the win.” — Dan Hanzus

CBS Sports - #21

“Justin Herbert had a big day against the Jets and finally won one of those big passing games. They have a star under center.” — Pete Prisco

Bleacher Report - #22

“Justin Herbert is on quite the roll.”

“It hasn’t consistently equated to wins yet—Herbert is just 2-7 as the starter for the Bolts. But in throwing for 366 yards and three scores against the New York Jets, he made some NFL history. Per ESPN’s Field Yates, Herbert is the first rookie quarterback to post three-plus passing touchdowns five times.”

“It’s been special,” wide out Keenan Allen told reporters. “He’s a special player. He’s been making some special plays. Throwing it. Running it. Throwing it out of bounds when he needs to. Throwing to the checkdown when he needs to. He’s evolving into a great player.”

“The Chargers aren’t a playoff team—surrendering 28 points to the winless Jets is evidence of how far the defense has to go. But they appear to have found their quarterback of the future. For a rebuilding NFL team, that’s a massive step in the right direction.”

“Hey, the Chargers finally showed they can start strong and finish a game, albeit against the woeful Jets,” Sobleski quipped. “Still, the victory is an important building block for a team that’s suffered multiple excruciating losses this season. Herbert continues to look amazing with his seventh straight multiple touchdown-pass effort. Los Angeles really isn’t as bad as its 3-7 record indicates. In fact, the Chargers rank 16th overall with a minus-13 point differential.” — NFL Staff

ESPN - #23

Herbert has taken the Chargers to a new level and is on pace to set several rookie quarterback records. He has kept fans invested and interested --- even as they started 3-7 — and could ultimately be what draws fans in the Los Angeles market to the Chargers. His 2,699 passing yards have been 99 percent fun to watch. And his new haircut just tops it off. — Shelley Smith

USA Today - #23

“If you were concerned about a Samson issue after QB Justin Herbert was shorn by strength coach John Lott, welp ... the rookie had one of his best days despite looking like a 12-year-old without his helmet.” — Nate Davis

Pro Football Talk — #29

Justin Herbert got a Stand By Me haircut just in time to see the dead body known as the Jets. — Mike Florio