Bolts From The Blue
The Los Angeles Chargers are among the best teams in the NFL.
The Los Angeles Chargers are rolling into the season with a decent amount of optimism after returning to the playoffs last season.
The Chargers were eliminated in the Wild Card round at the hands of the Houston Texans, but there’s reason to believe the team has a shot to make it further in the upcoming season.
FOX Sports reporter Ralph Vacchiano conducted a recent power rankings, where the Chargers clocked in at No. 10.
The upgrade at running back to Najee Harris (assuming his fireworks-related eye injury isn’t an issue) and rookie Omarion Hampton could be huge for a team Jim Harbaugh hopes will run opponents into the ground. That could even help quarterback Justin Herbert avoid the kind of playoff meltdown he had last season (when he threw four interceptions in an opening-round loss after throwing three all season long). Herbert will have to find a replacement for suddenly retired receiver Mike Williams, and the Chargers may have pass-rush questions after losing Joey Bosa and Poona Ford. But there’s a lot of talent there, and they are one of the most well-coached teams in the league.
The teams that ranked higher than the Chargers were the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
The Chargers are in arguably the toughest division in football in the AFC West, which boasted three playoff teams last season. The Las Vegas Raiders, who finished in last place, have improved a lot throughout the offseason, acquiring quarterback Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks and Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty at running back.
Ultimately, the Chargers will have a tough road this season, but they are capable of being one of the better teams regardless of their difficult schedule.
The Chargers begin their preseason on Thursday in the Hall of Fame Game against the Lions in Canton, Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.
