Chargers rank No. 10 in NFL, ESPN Power Rankings
By Matt Pagels
The Los Angeles Chargers are moving up in the world.
The Chargers are on a two-game winning streak.
After dropping a 50-burger on the Nathan Peterman-led Buffalo Bills, the Bolts traveled to Dallas to play the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. And with the spotlight shining on them, the Chargers dominated ‘dem Boys, holding Dak Prescott and Co. to only six points.
Because of how the Chargers manhandled both the teams, Los Angeles moved up in the power rankings. The week prior, the Chargers were No. 14 and No. 16 in NFL.com’s rankings and ESPN.com’s rankings, respectively. Now, both platforms have the Bolts at No. 10 overall. This is the first time all season that the Chargers have been in the top 10.
“Happy for Philip Rivers, man. That dude has always been a baller, even when he hasn’t been playing his best ball. He gives wicked savage looks, too. (I’ve noticed “savage” has become the new savage word to use. So lit.) Much respect to the defense, as well, which imposed its will against the Cowboys on Turkey Day. The pass rush, which has been the usual instigator, was not dominant — this time, the secondary held the fort, made its stops and produced turnovers.”
“The Chargers are tied for the second-best turnover differential this season, but no team has been better since their 0-4 start. Since the start of Week 5, the Chargers have committed a league-low five turnovers while forcing a league-best 17 turnovers.”
In NFL’s version of the power rankings, the Chargers join three other AFC teams in the top 10, with New England at No. 2, Pittsburgh at No. 4 and Jacksonville at No. 8. According to ESPN’s, the Chargers are the third-best team in the AFC despite their 5-6 record. The Patriots and Steelers finish with the same rankings (No. 2 and No. 4, respectively) and the Jaguars are penciled in right behind the Chargers at No. 11. Overall, the Chargers are the only team below .500 to rank in the top 10 (every other team has at least seven wins).
Opposing teams’ fans may complain because the Chargers played two not-so-good football teams the past two weeks. But man, they looked REALLY good beating those teams. Finally clicking on all cylinders, Los Angeles is showing its full potential. Philip Rivers and the offense is picking up the pace, and the Chargers’ defense is on the verge of becoming an elite unit. And it’s not like they’ve been blow out in any of their losses (all but one of their six losses were by eight points or less).
The Chargers are heating up at the right time. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs, who started the season 5-0, are falling apart after losing five of their last six games. The Chargers are currently one game back of both the division and the last wild-card spot.
Honestly, the only team the Chargers need to fear is themselves.