Chargers Week 15 power rankings roundup

Here’s this week’s power rankings roundup following the team’s suspenseful 20-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

NFL.com ... you still have my heart. Same with ESPN.

Pro Football Talk and Mike Florio are still some of the “most-down” people on the Chargers thus far and that makes sense as Warren Sharp, Anthony Lynn’s biggest critic on Twitter, works for them.

Have a look and tell me what you think of their rankings in the comments below.

NFL.com - #22

“Let’s not talk about the latest clock-management meltdown. Seriously. The final seconds of the first half against the Falcons was cringe TV of the highest order, and there’s nothing left to be said about how this Chargers team handles these situations under Anthony Lynn. Instead, let’s focus on the positives in the final minute of the game: Michael Davis intercepted Matt Ryan to give the Bolts life. Justin Herbert threw a beautiful pass to Tyron Johnson to put the Chargers in scoring range. And Michael Badgley nailed a 43-yarder as time expired to beat the Falcons, 20-17. Three impact plays, executed with precision, nary a soul-crushing gaffe to be found. Just a normal team doing normal things to win a game. It was weird.” - Dan Hanzus

ESPN - #23

“Basically, not much has gone right for the Chargers, except — and it’s a big exception — quarterback Justin Herbert. Even though this team has just four wins, Herbert has saved the season and given Chargers fans something to look forward to next season. One thing that hasn’t been good is the special teams, which are ranked at the bottom of the league for good reason. Head coach Anthony Lynn has had to assume control of that unit.” — Shelley Smith

CBS Sports - #25

“They finally won a close game this past Sunday against the Falcons. Will wins in the final three weeks save Anthony Lynn’s job?” — Pete Prisco

USA Today - #26

“QB Justin Herbert needs three TD passes over next three weeks to break the rookie record (27, Baker Mayfield) for most in a season.” — Nate Davis

The Ringer - #26

Bleacher Report - #26

“For most of the 2020 season, losing close games has been a way of life for the Los Angeles Chargers. But on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, they found a way to win with rookie quarterback Justin Herbert leading them to a last-second field goal for the first game-winning drive of his career.

After the game, Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn told reporters that it can only help Herbert’s confidence to finally get over the hump after so many close calls.

“I’m sure it’s going to do a lot for him,” Lynn said. “For him to go down the field...to stand in that pocket and throw the ball down the field the way he did, I’m sure it’s going to go a long way for his confidence.”

The Chargers weren’t flawless. They cost themselves three points at the end of the first half with some truly terrible clock management. They’ll be making some big changes in the offseason.

But Herbert’s heroics Sunday offer at least some optimism that the Chargers will be a bounce-back candidate in 2021.” — NFL Staff

Pro Football Talk - #29

“The pandemic is saving them from having no fans at their games for the usual reasons.” — Mike Florio