NFL power rankings: Who is biggest threat to Patriots?
By Brad Weiss
Los Angeles Chargers
, AFC West
For the first time in over 50 years, the Chargers will call a place outside of San Diego their home. The now-Los Angeles Chargers have started the preseason with an 0-2 record, with both games being played inside the StubHub Center. While the stadium is a soccer stadium, and does not have close the capacity an NFL stadium does, the team still has not drawn well through their first two games.
This past weekend, the Chargers welcomed the Saints to town, which are quarterbacked by old friend, Drew Brees. Both Brees and Chargers starting quarterback Philip Rivers did not play in the game, which was very low-scoring for a Chargers-Saints tilt. It has been a rough preseason for the Chargers thus far, but there have been some nice surprises.
Cornerback Desmond King was one of the best players at his position in college football during his time with the Iowa Hawkeyes, and he has played very well so far for the Chargers. He is a ballhawking-type player, and brings the kind of leadership you do not normally see from a young player. With the Chargers secondary being a weakness the past few years, they may have found a gem in King at one of the corner spots.
On paper, this Chargers team should be very good, but there are things hurting them right now. They have lost first round wideout Mike Williams for the foreseeable future, and outside linebacker Denzel Perryman is out 4-to-6 weeks. In a loaded AFC West, the Chargers cannot afford to fall too far behind the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and Oakland Raiders, all of whom could be playoff teams in 2017.