2020 NFL Power Rankings: Los Angeles Chargers
Throughout the 2020 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: 22.8 (22nd)
- Best ranking: 20th (NFL.com)
- Worst ranking: 26th (USA Today)
Below you will find a Week 13 roundup for the Chargers in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.
The Athletic -- Rank: 21
Below expectations: The Athletic's Daniel Popper did an excellent job of outlining all of Anthony Lynn's in-game gaffes from the Chargers' Week 12 loss against the Bills. Lynn seems like a respected leader, and he and his staff have done a nice job developing Justin Herbert. But Lynn currently owns the distinction of being the worst in-game decision-maker in the league. The issues show up multiple times on a weekly basis and are a big reason why the Chargers are 3-8. What's obvious is that Lynn does not have a good process for making key decisions like whether to punt, go for it, kick a field goal, call timeout, etc. The best coaches have already gone through those scenarios during the week, or they lean on a staffer to help them in their headsets on gameday. Too often it feels like Lynn is just following his gut and making spur of the moment decisions. That's led to mistake after mistake.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 23
They can't win games, even if they have a big-play quarterback. As this season continues to go in the wrong direction, you have to wonder if coach Anthony Lynn will be back.
USA Today -- Rank: 26
Justin Herbert needs one more 300-yard passing day for his seventh, which would set a new record among rookie quarterbacks.
ESPN -- Rank: 24
Most important game remaining: Week 17 at Kansas City
The first go-around was Justin Herbert's first start and he threw for 311 yards, took the game to OT and lost, in large part because Anthony Lynn decided to punt on fourth-and-short in overtime instead of going for it, giving the ball to the Chiefs, who drove for a game-winning field goal. Perhaps a more experienced Herbert, along with a healthy Austin Ekeler, can come up with an effort that provides momentum for next season and perhaps saves Lynn's job. -- Shelley Smith
The first go-around was Justin Herbert's first start and he threw for 311 yards, took the game to OT and lost, in large part because Anthony Lynn decided to punt on fourth-and-short in overtime instead of going for it, giving the ball to the Chiefs, who drove for a game-winning field goal. Perhaps a more experienced Herbert, along with a healthy Austin Ekeler, can come up with an effort that provides momentum for next season and perhaps saves Lynn's job. -- Shelley Smith
NFL.com -- Rank: 20
The Chargers drafted a quarterback in April who hit the ground running as a top-10 passer in the league. And yet, the Bolts languish at 3-8 after a 27-17 loss to the Bills on Sunday. The organization has to ask why. Los Angeles failed to take advantage of three Buffalo turnovers in the second half, and head coach Anthony Lynn faced criticism after the game for egregious clock mismanagement, a familiar refrain around these parts. Lynn said it was "completely miscommunication" that led to a comedy of errors in the final minute after Justin Herbert connected on a Hail Mary pass that put the Bolts at the Bills' goal line with no timeouts. A ponderous hand-off, a doomed pass, a field-goal unit running on then off the field, capped by the world's saddest QB sneak as time expired. Woof.
Previous update: Los Angeles Chargers Week 12 NFL Power Rankings Roundup
More Los Angeles Chargers pages:
- Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft Roundup
- Los Angeles Chargers Snap Counts
- Los Angeles Chargers Franchise Leaders
- Los Angeles Chargers Draft History
- Los Angeles Chargers Schedule
- Los Angeles Chargers Tickets
- 2021 NFL Mock Draft
- 2022 NFL Mock Draft
- 2021 NBA Mock Draft
- Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start'em, Sit'em
- Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
- NFL Power Rankings
