Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers did what many thought they couldn’t in Brazil: Down the nine-time AFC West champion Chiefs.
On the back of quarterback Justin Herbert’s behemoth effort through the air, the Chargers were able to score 27 points and keep the ball away from the Chiefs over the final few minutes of the game to seal their first win over their divisional rival since the 2021 season.
What a way to begin the new season.
With that said, let’s go ahead and see where analysts have the Chargers in their rankings following their season-opening win over the Chiefs!
The Athletic – #4
“The sixth-year QB was a stud against the Chiefs, completing 25 of 34 passes for 318 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions (not to mention 32 rushing yards). Perhaps Year 2 with Jim Harbaugh is when Herbert elevates into Tier 1 status.” – Josh Kendall
New York Post – #5
Justin Herbert played maybe his best big-spot game ever, throwing for 318 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-21 win against the Chiefs in Brazil. For icing on the cake, he ran for the victory-sealing first down on third-and-14. Quentin Johnston caught two touchdown passes, and Keenan Allen grabbed the other in his return to the Chargers.” – Ryan Dunleavy
Sports Illustrated – #6
“Here’s what I wrote about the fallout from Friday night’s win over the Chiefs. Vintage Justin Herbert is back, or at the very least, momentarily unholstered while the Omarion Hampton running game takes form. The silver lining of a Rashawn Slater injury making the Chargers less a road grating team is that Herbert will be called upon circa 2021 to conjure some magic.” – Conor Orr
Yahoo Sports – #6
“Justin Herbert looked like a legitimate MVP candidate. Keenan Allen was a smart addition late in the offseason. Beating the Chiefs was a great way to start the season. L.A. was a big winner in Week 1.” – Frank Schwab
Pro Football Talk – #6
“Jim Harbaugh is bringing out the badass in Justin Herbert.” – Mike Florio
USA Today – #7
“‘September 5th will go down in some Charger lore, in my opinion,’ coach Jim Harbaugh said of beating the Chiefs last week in Brazil. ‘It was a big win.’ And perhaps it was just as notable given Harbaugh, a 3 yards and a cloud of dust guy (if not an Ohio State guy) if there ever was one, watched his team pass 60% of the time in Week 1.” – Nate Davis
CBS Sports – #7
“Justin Herbert was outstanding in beating the Chiefs, which serves notice to the rest of the AFC that this team might be a Super Bowl contender. Jim Harbaugh can flat out coach.” – Pete Prisco
ESPN – #9
*“Allen is technically a newcomer. But he spent his first 11 seasons with the Chargers before the team traded him to the Bears last season following a contract dispute. He finished with seven catches for 68 yards and a...
