2017 NFL power rankings: Patriots lead the way
Los Angeles Chargers 5-11
Last week: 4th, AFC West
Last rank: 26th
Looking Back: It has been a slowly but steady decline for the usually-talented Bolts. They followed up a four-win season with a 5-11 showing this past fall. The Chargers steadily found ways to squander leads in the fourth quarter and wound up leading the NFL with 35 turnovers – 26 of those by veteran quarterback Philip Rivers.
Looking Forward: For the first time since 1960, the Chargers will call the city of Los Angeles home. Yes, that was the franchise’s lone season in that city before moving to San Diego in ’61. Now equipped with a new head coach (Anthony Lynn) and a new logo, the club looks to escape the AFC West basement following consecutive last-place finishes. The team could use a little better luck when it comes to injuries. It’s been a rough two-year stretch for wideout Keenan Allen. Last season, running back Danny Woodhead was lost early on. But the Chargers have something to build around in running back Melvin Gordon.
Offseason needs: San Diego’s stoppers played respectable football in 2016 and did wind up with NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Joey Bosa, who led the team with 10.5 sacks. But if the Chargers fail to re-up with 2012 first-round pick Melvin Ingram (8 sacks in ’16), opponents will have the luxury of double-teaming the third overall selection in last April’s draft. Inside linebacker Manti Te’o will have also played out his rookie contract when the new league’s fiscal year begins in a little over a month. Meanwhile, the talented Gordon does come off an injury-shortened season and the Bolts could use a little more depth at running back. And is it time to explore options when it comes to Rivers’ eventual successor?