The Chargers improved to 8-4 after defeating the Falcons last Sunday.
Let's look at where Los Angeles stands in the NFL power rankings after Week 13:
: 12 (Previous: 13)
“QB Justin Herbert is reaching a new level of efficiency for an offense that may still be too conservative. But he joins Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay's version) as the only players to pass for at least 2,500 yards and fewer than two picks in his first 12 games of a season. Herbert, whose interception rate is the lowest in the league at 0.3%, averaged 10.5 in his first four seasons.”
: 9 (Previous: 9)
“The Chargers struggled offensively all day against the Falcons, allowing a shocking five sacks (on a team that totaled 10) and converting just three of 11 third downs. They placed JK Dobbins on injured reserve before kickoff with a knee injury and passed the ball just 12 times Sunday, gaining 55 yards on those runs, while Hassan Haskins fumbled on his only touch of the game. Luckily, the defense did its job, recording four interceptions from Kirk Cousins (including a pick-six from rookie Tarheeb Still) and picking off Cousins for a fifth turnover if the Falcons hadn't recovered. The Bolts also held their own in the red zone, allowing Atlanta to score just one touchdown in four plays there. This was a much-needed win after LA fell to 7-4, but it was hardly a statement win as some of the team's problems offensively earlier in the season were repeated. The offensive line, considered a strength early in the season, has been a disappointment in more games than I imagined.”
: 9 (Previous: 9)
First-time Pro Bowl nominee: wide receiver Ladd McConkey
“McConkey has emerged as one of the NFL's best receivers this season and quarterback Justin Herbert's most trusted target. McConkey ranks 13th in the nfl in receiving yards (815) and has the second-most receiving yards among rookies. He is the first Chargers rookie wideout since Keenan Allen to have three receiving games with more than 100 yards, including 117 of the Chargers' 150 receiving yards (78%) against the Falcons. This was the third-highest percentage of yards receiving by a single player by a team this season.”
“The away win in Atlanta was a nice way to bounce back after the Ravens loss. Now there’s a tough game against the Chiefs in Kansas City.”
“Another complete and comprehensive game from the Chargers secondary that isn’t just a Derwin James show. The Power Rankings were a big fan of Tarheeb Still and he had another huge game against a rusty-looking Falcons offense. It's clear that the Chargers can't maintain this pace without something developing in terms of a playmaker that isn't Ladd McConkey, and McConkey was cornered in two different spots after posting a target share of Had 50% and accounted for almost all of Justin Herbert’s total passing yards.”
“The Chargers took advantage of some big mistakes from Atlanta to secure a win in Week 13, but I'm not sure how sustainable their formula is. Aside from getting four relatively easy interceptions, LA's defense didn't look great against the Falcons, and it wasn't good in the previous two games either.
And with JK Dobbins (knee) on injured reserve, the Chargers' offense looked absolutely terrible against Atlanta. Ladd McConkey is quickly becoming a star receiver, but LA needs more than an offensive playmaker to pose a serious playoff threat.”
