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We’re heading into the final week of the 2020 regular season and the Bolts are riding as high as they ever have over the past two seasons. Their win over the Broncos notched their sixth victory of the year, besting their 5-11 mark from 2019, and they get a Kansas City team that’s expected to rest it’s starters prior to their first-round bye in the playoffs.
Should the Chargers manage to take down the Chiefs’ backups, they’ll finish a game below .500 and head into the offseason with a four-game win-streak and some refreshing momentum.
Like every week, here is the second-to-last roundup of power rankings for the Chargers. And of course, NFL.com is loving every bit of the team’s recent success.
NFL.com - #16
“Everyone loves a nice kicker redemption tale. Michael Badgley has missed more kicks than anyone in football this season, but the “Money Badger” was perfect on all four of his field-goal attempts on Sunday, including the go-ahead 37-yarder in the final minute of a 19-16 win over the Broncos. The Chargers did more than win their third straight game — they made history. Justin Herbert bumped Baker Mayfield out of the record books with his 28th touchdown pass of the season, the most ever by a rookie quarterback. Herbert represents hope in Los Angeles. It might not be long before he’s the biggest star in town.” — Dan Hanzus
CBS Sports - #19
“They finally found a way to win a close game. Now the question is whether Anthony Lynn will be back.” — Pete Pricso
Pro Football Network - #19
“Los Angeles allowed the Broncos to get back into this game but still advanced to 6-9 despite missing some key pieces like Joey Bosa, Hunter Henry, and Keenan Allen. Even though Denver held the ball substantially longer than the Chargers, Los Angeles was plus two in turnover differential. Justin Herbert, their star rookie quarterback, continues to impress.” — Matt Williamson
ESPN - #19
“Sixteen one-possession losses in two seasons is way too many. It’s up to Chargers to find the fierceness to finish the close games with Ws instead of Ls, to keep leads instead of squandering them. Is it a tough O-lineman, a reliable kicker, a tough D-lineman? Whatever it is, do something to help franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert has led them to three consecutive winning drives in as many weeks in December, but the Chargers need to carry that over to 2021.” — Shelley Smith
Sporting News - #20
“The Chargers got another close win over the Broncos. It’s unfortunate they’ve gotten the hang of this one-possession thing with Anthony Lynn and Justin Herbert so late in the season.” — Vinnie Iyer
USA Today - #20
Flawed as they are, does it make sense to dismantle a coaching staff that has done such a nice job launching QB Justin Herbert’s career? — Nate Davis
Bleacher Report - #21
“The Chargers are ending the 2020 season with a head of steam.”
“For the third straight week, the Chargers were able to eke out a close win, outlasting the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on Sunday. Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert once again played well, passing for 253 yards and a touchdown with a passer rating just under 100.”
“That touchdown pass was a big one—it gave Herbert 28 for the season, setting an NFL record for scoring tosses by a rookie. In news that should surprise exactly no one, Bolts head coach Anthony Lynn was talking up his young signal-caller after the game.”
“I am glad we have the young man,” Lynn said. “He works his tail off. I give him all the credit in the world.”
“There is no question Herbert will be the Week 1 starter for the Chargers when the 2021 campaign gets underway.”
“Whether Lynn will still be on the sidelines as head coach is much less certain.” — NFL Staff
Pro Football Talk - #22
“Could a season-ending four-game winning streak save Anthony Lynn?” — Mike Florio