Thursday, September 16, 2021

Los Angeles Chargers Week 2 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 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: 12.8 (13th)
  • Best ranking: 11th (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 15th (CBS Sports)

Below you will find a Week 2 roundup for the Chargers in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 14

Top rookie: LT Rashawn Slater

The 13th overall pick in April's draft stood his ground against Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young in the Chargers' 20-16 win over Washington. QB Justin Herbert threw for 337 yards and Slater ranked 20th among tackles in pass block win rate. It was a solid performance for a guy who had not played in a year after he opted out of his last season at Northwestern. -- Shelley Smith

NFL.com -- Rank: 11

Justin Herbert was an absolute savage from the pocket when the Chargers needed him most on Sunday. The second-year QB delivered laser strikes for first-down completions of 17, 19, 20 and 9 yards -- all of them on pivotal third-down plays -- to seal a hard-fought 20-16 win over the Washington Football Team. Herbert wasn't perfect, committing two turnovers with L.A. in scoring range, but his incredible arm talent, combined with a gutsy self-belief in the opportunities that golden right arm gives him, separates him from so many of his peers. The Chargers, at long last, have a closer.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 15

Winning on the road on the East Coast to open the season is a good look. The defense looked much improved from a year ago.

USA Today -- Rank: 13

Pretty impressive 16-game start (4,673 passing yards and 32 TDs) for QB Justin Herbert ... and he's even winning close games now!

The Athletic -- Rank: 11

Overreaction: Left tackle Rashawn Slater was the NFL's best offensive rookie in Week 1. Slater, drafted at No. 13, didn't allow a pressure in his NFL debut. And considering he lined up against Chase Young, the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and the No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, that's extremely impressive. It's just the kind of protection Justin Herbert needs. -- Jones

Reality check: Not much to check here. Chargers went 14-of-19 on third downs Sunday. That's the most conversions in any NFL game in 10 years, against what should be a stout defense. Los Angeles' next two will be telling: vs. Cowboys, at Chiefs. -- Auman

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