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The Bolts are now well-established among the league’s top-10.
After an incredibly-taxing and stressful bout with the Browns, the Chargers are continuing to reap the benefits of knocking off another top team in the AFC. With their fourth win, they’re now tied with six other teams in the NFL at 4-1. As we get further and further into the season, the placement for the Chargers amongst various power rankings have slowly but surely begun to concentrate into a tighter grouping.
What does that mean exactly? Well, take a quick look below and find out.
NFL.com – #5
“Justin Herbert Is A Savage In The Pocket. The second-year prodigy was an unstoppable force against the Browns, throwing for 398 yards with five total scores in a 47-42 win at Hollywood Park. The Bolts’ usually reliable defense stumbled through their worst performance of the season, but Herbert was there to pick up the slack with his cadre of playmakers. L.A.’s 26 points in the fourth quarter were the most by a team in a fourth quarter in eight years. “To win a game like this that turns into a track meet, you have to have a superstar quarterback,” coach Brandon Staley said after the victory. “And that’s what he is.” You know what else he is? (Please see first sentence.)” – Dan Hanzus
CBS Sports – #5
“At 4-1, they lead the AFC West and look to be one of the best teams in the conference. Justin Herbert is the real deal. But the run defense has to be better going forward.” – Pete Prisco
New York Post – #6
“The Chargers always find ways to lose games like their 47-42 shootout against the Browns, featuring eight lead changes and one tie. Except they didn’t this time because of Justin Herbert (398 passing yards, four touchdowns) and Austin Ekeler (three fourth-quarter touchdowns). Let’s declare the new AFC West favorites.” – Ryan Dunleavy
Yahoo Sports – #6
“The Bolts are ahead of the Browns … barely. They overcame a double-digit deficit, and bad kicking, to topple Cleveland.” – Barry Werner
USA Today – #6
“WR Mike Williams has impeccable timing. His salary ballooned to $15.7 million this year after the Bolts picked up his fifth-year option, but the NFL’s leader in TD catches (6) should really cash in following the season, when he’s scheduled to reach free agency.” – Nate Davis
Fansided – #7
“The Chargers should win the West. They’re the most complete team by a wide margin.” – Matt Verderame
Pro Football Network – #7
“Man, I’m struggling to find a team that is genuinely more exciting to watch play football. Justin Herbert is the realest of deals. He’s still young and growing mentally, but his physical skill set is rivaled only by the Alien in Kansas City, whom he beat just a few weeks ago.”
“Keenan Allen and Mike Williams getting to play with Herbert is borderline unfair. LA’s head coach is aggressive, and the defensive scheme is cutting edge (even if they gave up 41 points today). The Chargers are not a fluke, and they absolutely have a shot to win the AFC West.” – Dalton Miller
ESPN – #7
“Norton was previously in the XFL but now is the Chargers’ starting right tackle because of an injury to Bryan Bulaga. Norton stumbled in his first start but has risen up the ranks, as he is currently the Chargers’ No. 2-ranked offensive lineman per Pro Football Focus. He was given a game ball by Chargers coach Brandon Staley after Sunday’s win over the Browns. Staley believes in the 6-foot-8 and 308-pound Norton, as does Justin Herbert, who saw Norton standing up Cleveland’s Myles Garrett. He wasn’t perfect, giving up a sack to the NFL’s sack leader, but he has proven to be reliable.” – Shelley Smith
Sporting News – #7
“How about Justin Herbert? What sophomore slump? He’s loving the new offense and so is everyone around him, led by Austin Ekeler. Brandon Staley is your coach of the year front-runner as the Chargers are developing into a legitimate AFC powerhouse.” – Vinnie Iyer