Friday, November 26, 2021

Los Angeles Chargers Week 12 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: 10.8 (11th)
  • Best ranking: 9 (CBS Sports)
  • Worst ranking: 13 (USA Today)

Below you will find a Week 12 roundup for the Chargers in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 11

Most memorable Thanksgiving game: Chargers beat Cowboys 28-6 on Nov. 23, 2017

The Chargers defeated a beat-up Dallas team in their first Thanksgiving game in 48 years. Philip Rivers threw for 434 yards on 27-of-33 passing, and Keenan Allen caught 11 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. They bested a Cowboys team without several key players, including running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was sidelined because of a six-game suspension stemming from a domestic violence investigation. Before that, the most recent time the Chargers played on Thanksgiving was in 1969, when they beat the Oilers in the Astrodome 21-17. -- Shelley Smith

NFL.com -- Rank: 11

The Chargers were ready to Charger in a profound way ... until Justin Herbert stepped in. The brilliant second-year quarterback saved the day with a 53-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams that thwarted a furious Steelers rally and allowed the Bolts to escape with a 41-37 win on Sunday Night Football. The fourth quarter unfolded in ways both unique and deeply familiar if you're a Chargers fan; it felt as if a meltdown in front of 40,000 Steelers fans invading Southern California was preordained. But Herbert is different. He makes the Chargers different. He accounted for 472 total yards and three touchdowns -- and, even more impressively, showed unshakable cool when the world was on fire. He's a franchise quarterback in every way.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 9

Now that Justin Herbert is back throwing it around, they can play with anybody. The coaches wised up by getting back to featuring Herbert throwing it down the field.

USA Today -- Rank: 13

In yet another remarkable performance Sunday night, QB Justin Herbert became the first player in Super Bowl era to pass for 350 yards and rush for 90 in the same game. And he's definitely breaking mold for the Bolts, who'd never had a QB run for at least 90 in team's 62-season history.

The Athletic -- Rank: 10

Best side dish: We were tempted to break format here and pick a side-dish pairing of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Allen, after all, is the Chargers' leading receiver and one of the most difficult players in the league to cover one-on-one. But there's just something so enticing about Williams in the big moments that make him our choice here. When Justin Herbert is looking for an explosive play, he targets Williams. The wide receiver has an uncanny ability for clutch catches, just like his game-winning touchdown Sunday against Pittsburgh.

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