Thursday, October 21, 2021

Los Angeles Chargers Week 7 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: 8.2 (8th)
  • Best ranking: 8th (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 9th (USA Today)

Below you will find a Week 7 roundup for the Chargers in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 8

We didn't know what to expect from the Chargers, and it's safe to say they've overachieved at 4-2, with signature wins over the Chiefs, Raiders and Browns. But overachieving breeds more expectations, as does having a budding star quarterback in Justin Herbert. Can they hang on to first place in the AFC West and finish it out? That might depend on whether they can improve their run defense, which is currently last in the NFL and could hurt them down the road. -- Shelley Smith

NFL.com -- Rank: 8

Every team has a bad day. The Chargers hope it doesn't get worse than Sunday's humbling 34-6 loss to the Ravens in which Brandon Staley's team was manhandled on offense, defense and special teams. Justin Herbert was virtually unstoppable in Week 5's shootout win over the Browns, but the Ravens' blitz-heavy scheme kept the second-year star uncomfortable and led to an uncharacteristically inaccurate performance. Even the Chargers' celebrated aggressiveness backfired in this one: Herbert threw a pair of incompletions on two fourth-and-short attempts in Chargers territory, with both turnovers leading to Baltimore points. It's not how they wanted to hit their bye, but the Bolts should still feel optimistic about what's to come.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 8

That was a terrible showing at Baltimore. They hardly resembled the team that was being talked about as a Super Bowl contender.

USA Today -- Rank: 9

After converting all three fourth-down attempts in Week 5, Bolts were 1-for-4 in Sunday's blowout loss at Baltimore. They're also now the league's worst team defending the run.

The Athletic -- Rank: 8

Rookie Heat Check: An offensive lineman will never win a rookie of the year award -- they are too statistics driven -- but left tackle Rashawn Slater has made a strong case for it. According to Pro Football Focus, Slater has allowed just two sacks on quarterback Justin Herbert in 266 pass- blocking snaps; both sacks came in Week 5 against the Browns and star pass rusher Myles Garrett. Hitting on back-to-back first-round picks with Justin Herbert (in 2020) and Slater sets the Chargers up for long-term offensive success.

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