NFL Power Rankings: Chargers climb despite preseason dud vs Seahawks

The LA Chargers played their first game under new head coach Jim Harbaugh on Saturday and it did not go the same way as Harbaugh's last game coached for the University of Michigan. Harbaugh's Chargers lost 16-3 to the Seattle Seahawks in a game that raised offensive concerns.

Granted, most of these concerns are about the team's backup quarterback and whether anyone in the building is capable of starting a game or two if Justin Herbert is forced to miss time. If Herbert plays in the regular season and isn't playing in much pain on his foot, then most of these concerns evaporate away.

On paper it was an ugly game for the Bolts and one would think the team would slide compared to the rest of the league. That was not the case at all, though, as the Chargers actually checked in as the 21st-ranked team on NFL Spin Zone's weekly power rankings. A week ago, the Bolts checked in at No. 23.

Chargers climb in NFL power rankings despite ugly showing vs Seahawks

This might not make very much sense after losing a game like this to the Seahawks but it is important to remember we are still in the preseason. Rankings at this point in time are more about overall team dynamics, not specific performances.

Sure, the Chargers looked awful offensively but they looked awful with a backup quarterback under center. There is a massive difference when Herbert is playing and this only becomes an issue if he misses time (although that does not give the team an excuse to ignore the problem entirely).

So as bad as it looked, it does not really have an overarching impact on the team itself. Plus, there were other areas of Saturday's game that made the Chargers look stronger. Jesse Minter's defense was flying all over the place and schematically looked to be in a much better position than Brandon Staley's.

That defensive effort alone is enough to put higher stock in the Bolts. If the Chargers can improve defensively while getting a healthy Herbert then they are much better than the team that showed up on Saturday.

Plus, these rankings are all in the context of the rest of the league. The Chargers also moved up two spots as teams ahead of them had bad showings that were more consequential to the regular season.

Without any consequential pitfalls for the Chargers, it makes sense why the team would climb two spots on the power rankings despite losing the game to Seattle.