Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Los Angeles Chargers Week 16 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Los Angeles Chargers rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 20.4 (20th)
  • Best ranking: 17th (NFL.com)
  • Worst ranking: 22nd (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 16 roundup for the Chargers in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 22

Wish: A coaching staff that understands how good Justin Herbert is and focuses on maximizing his potential. They beat the Raiders on Thursday night, but it was another classic Chargers game as it seemed like Herbert had to overcome his coaching. They are consistently run-heavy on early downs and ask Herbert to bail them out. And the Chargers' game management issues have been well-documented. Maybe there's a way to keep Anthony Lynn but make changes to his staff to improve the overall process going forward, or maybe the Chargers just need to replace Lynn. But one way or another, they can't have a repeat of this season and waste next year, given how scary good Herbert could potentially be.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 20

They impressed in winning against the Raiders. Justin Herbert is the real deal.

USA Today -- Rank: 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.

ESPN -- Rank: 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

NFL.com -- Rank: 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?

Previous update: Los Angeles Chargers Week 15 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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