Saturday, October 31, 2020

Los Angeles Chargers Week 8 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: 19.6 (20th)
  • Best ranking: 17th (NFL.com)
  • Worst ranking: 22nd (USA Today)

Below you will find a Week 8 roundup for the Chargers in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 18

I am not seeing nearly enough hype around Justin Herbert. He threw for 347 yards and rushed for 66 in the Chargers' win over the Jaguars. Players who have hit those marks in a single game in NFL history: Mike Vick, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, Alex Smith, Kyler Murray and Steve Young. It's happened seven times -- in NFL history! Herbert is legitimately one of the five most exciting players in the league. I'm not going to make any wild declarations after five starts, but I am really enjoying the Herbert experience.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 21

Justin Herbert won his first game on Sunday and continued the impressive start to his career. He looks legit, which is the good thing for the future. Justin Herbert won his first game on Sunday and continued the impressive start to his career. He looks legit, which is the good thing for the future.

USA Today -- Rank: 22

The race for offensive rookie of the year currently features quite a pack ... but QB Justin Herbert looking like a breakaway candidate. No other rookie in the Super Bowl era has at least 250 passing yards in each of his first five starts.

ESPN -- Rank: 20

Who needs to step up: The defense

Melvin Ingram is back from IR and is the leader of the group. In his absence, the D gave up 17-point leads to Tampa Bay and New Orleans and lost both games. The defense also was in danger Sunday versus the Jaguars, losing a 16-point lead at one point. Justin Herbert might be all that, but if the defense doesn't step up, it won't matter. As Ingram said, "We can't keep making the same mistakes. We come in, we look at each other in the eye as men and say, 'It's got to stop somewhere, so why not today?'" The close losses have to stop, and Herbert can't do it on his own. -- Shelley Smith

NFL.com -- Rank: 17

The Justin Herbert Show continues. The rookie quarterback put together another stellar performance against the Jaguars, setting career highs in passing yards (347) and rushing yards (66) in a 39-29 win. Those 66 rushing yards also represented a franchise record. (It's possible Philip Rivers didn't have 66 rushing yards total in 16 years with the Bolts.) The Chargers jumped out to an early lead, then fell behind in the third quarter before the Herbert-led attack exploded for 20 points in the final 5:34 of the period. The defense put the clamps on Gardner Minshew after that, and Herbert finally had his first career win. Beat the Broncos in Denver this week, and people are going to start seeing the Chargers as a playoff contender. I'm already there.

Previous update: Los Angeles Chargers Week 7 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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