Thursday, October 19, 2023

Los Angeles Chargers Week 7 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 7 roundup for the Los Angeles Chargers in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 14

Lesson learned: Every game is going to be close.

It doesn't matter if it is the Aidan O'Connell-led Raiders or the record-setting Dolphins offense; the Chargers have found ways to be in close games each week. All five of the Chargers' games have been decided by seven points or less. It's a point coach Brandon Staley has attempted to dismiss. "It's not college football where, you know, Georgia is playing UAB, you know, or, or Austin Peay," he said. But at some point, this team will need to become more consistent and put opponents away. Until then, the Chargers will always be a step below the contenders in the AFC. -- Kris Rhim

NFL.com -- Rank: 14

Having entered Monday night's game with a mangled finger on his non-throwing hand, Justin Herbert looked pretty unencumbered early but struggled at times late. Herbert missed a wide-open Keenan Allen twice on deep balls (one in each half), couldn't find Josh Palmer on a critical turnover on downs, nearly threw an interception with about nine minutes left and did throw a pick to essentially end the game. The 4th-and-1 incompletion to Palmer in the red zone and Bolts CB Michael Davis' whiffed tackle on Tony Pollard -- while other Los Angeles defenders stood nearby and watched -- were almost too on the nose for the Chargers, the way these plays have piled up this season. A few critical penalties (some wiping out big gains) really put it over the top, and breakdowns late on both sides cost L.A. yet another close game.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 21

When will Brandon Staley learn it's OK to take field goals to tie games? It cost him again against the Cowboys. Typical.

USA Today -- Rank: 19

You can argue they stole defeat from the jaws of victory yet again. Now? Better regroup quickly for a short week that will end in Kansas City against the rested Chiefs ... in a game the Bolts really need.

The Athletic -- Rank: 21

The Chargers defense, which gave up conversions on third-and-19, third-and-6 and third-and-9 on the Cowboys' go-ahead drive Monday night, is 30th in the league in yards per play allowed (5.8) and 27th in defensive success rate (55.8 percent). The Chargers are a disappointment at 2-3, and it's particularly acute considering they have only beaten the Vikings and Raiders.

FOX -- Rank: 15

Justin Herbert is going to have nightmares about some of the missed opportunities against Dallas. The interception at the end, obviously, but there were also misfires on some deep shots down the field. Maybe it's lazy to blame the quarterback, but Herbert got outplayed by Prescott in a game where the defense only allowed 20 points.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 14

Monday night's loss was the quintessential Chargers game. They had chances to win but somehow lost yet another close game. It's uncanny how all Chargers losses seem to go that way. The Chiefs are up next on the schedule and L.A. is in danger of digging itself a big hole by the end of October.

PFT -- Rank: 17

The vultures will be circling for a chance to coach Justin Herbert, soon.

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