Chargers Week 16 power rankings roundup

The Chargers are winners of two-straight and are on the move once again in the upward direction.

As always, Dan Hanzus is right back to being high on the 5-9 Bolts while the people at Athlon Sports are also staying optimistic with this team.

If the Bolts are able to snag another win, or even two, then I could see them landing within the top-16 teams despite having a losing record. All depends on whether these analysts stick strictly with the team’s records or if they dive deeper and give clubs some leniency based on outside circumstances such as injury luck, etc.

Anyways, go ahead and dive right in to this week’s power rankings roundup. Enjoy!

NFL.com - #17

“The Chargers followed that humiliating 45-0 home loss to the Patriots in Week 13 with back-to-back wins, including an overtime thriller to bury the Raiders’ playoff hopes on Thursday night. Justin Herbert emerged from a mini-slump to light up the Raiders’ undermanned secondary in a 314-yard passing day that included a 26-yard scoring pass to Tyron Johnson to tie the NFL’s rookie passing TD record. You wished the Chargers’ coaching staff would have allowed Herbert to finish off the Raiders in regulation, but some conservative play-calling — and, of course, the perfunctory special teams meltdown — made the game more interesting than it had to be. There’s a good team buried in the mix here. Can the Bolts find the person who can bring it out?” — Dam Hanzus

Athlon Sports - #18

“Pretty good week for Oregon fans in Los Angeles, with Justin Herbert out-dueling Marcus Mariota on Thursday in Vegas and the Ducks winning the Pac-12 title at the Coliseum 24 hours later.” — Bryan Fischer

CBS Sports - #20

“They impressed in winning against the Raiders. Justin Herbert is the real deal.” — Pete Prisco

ESPN - #21

Most underrated star: WR Keenan Allen

“He is the most trustworthy receiver on the squad. Allen ranks third in the league in receptions (100), 13th in receiving yards (992) and tied for 10th in receiving touchdowns (eight). Despite that, he doesn’t get mentioned much among the league’s top receivers, but the Chargers rely on him for steady leadership and influence. He’s one of QB Justin Herbert’s go-to guys and a reason the first-rounder is on the verge of breaking the record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie.” — Shelley Smith

USA Today - #22

“Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen has had a nice season given his 100 catches, but hard to believe he hasn’t cracked 1,000 yards.” — Nate Davis

Fansided - #22

“Despite Anthony Lynn’s best efforts — and the special teams having money on the other side — the Chargers bested the Raiders.” — Matt Verderame

Pro Football Talk - #23

“The Chargers have their franchise quarterback. Now, they have to focus on figuring out how to get some wins.” — Mike Florio

The Ringer - #23

Bleacher Report - #25

“Maybe, just maybe, the Los Angeles Chargers are starting to figure it out.”

“After losing close games in just about every way imaginable, the Chargers have now pulled out back-to-back wins at the end of the game. In Week 14, it was a game-winning field goal against the Atlanta Falcons. On Thursday in Las Vegas, it was a touchdown drive in overtime after the Raiders took the lead.”

“Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert had another big game, throwing for 314 yards and two touchdowns. Those two scores tied Herbert for the rookie record for touchdown passes, and with two games left to play, the No. 6 overall pick is all but certain to set a new high-water mark.”

“This winning streak probably isn’t enough to save head coach Anthony Lynn’s job, which might end up being a good thing. With Herbert in the fold and an offense replete with skill-position talent, the Chargers job should be one of the most attractive openings for offensive-minded head coaching candidates.” — NFL Staff