2021 Power Rankings Roundup, Week 3: Where Chargers stand after win over Chiefs
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 30-24, in Week 3 of the 2021 season.
After the statement victory, let’s see what the nation thinks of the Bolts:
USA Today: 9
“We’re fortunate we have a gangster quarterback,” new Bolts coach Brandon Staley said of Justin Herbert after Sunday’s win at Kansas City. OK, sure, Coach. But for context, Herbert’s the same guy who founded a fishing club in high school.”
“The Chargers are a few tough calls against the Cowboys in Week 2 from being 3-0. Those fortunes changes against the Chiefs as a late-game effort led by quarterback Justin Herbert was the difference. A lot to like in Los Angeles (for both teams).”
NFL: 10
“Brandon Staley is in love with his quarterback. Can you blame him? For the second straight week, the Chargers’ head coach made a point to call Justin Herbert the best player on the field, this time after Herbert powered the Bolts to a dramatic 30-24 win over the Chiefs in Arrowhead. It’s not lip service by Staley, either: On multiple occasions Sunday, Staley opted to keep his offense on the field rather than settle for sensible field-goal attempts. It was a tacit acknowledgment of Patrick Mahomes’ greatness, sure, but also a showing of supreme faith in his own guy. The Chargers converted first downs in each instance. The football world is quickly learning what Staley and the Power Rankings already knew: Justin Herbert Is A Savage In The Pocket.”
CBS Sports: 11
“That’s a big-time win on the road against the Chiefs. Justin Herbert bounced out of his slow start with an impressive four-touchdown pass game.”
Yahoo Sports: 13
“Mike Williams is a good example of why coaching matters. The old staff seemed content to have the former No. 7 overall pick function primarily as a deep threat. He had moments of success but through four seasons it seemed like he was capable of more. A new staff expanded his route tree and now Williams looks like an elite receiver. That would give the Chargers two of them because Keenan Allen is still a star.”
“I could easily have made the case for the Chargers at 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. Hebert would be the centerpiece of any such rationale. He reminds me so much of Mahomes: great arm, creative flair, some doubts lingering coming out of college, fiery start to a budding NFL career. But Herbert is also part of the reason I have the LAC just a touch lower than most do. He’s still a young quarterback, and he still plays on a developing team. Plus, there’s the schedule: Raiders, Browns, Ravens (away) and Patriots upcoming. I still believe the Chiefs will win the AFC West. But I also believe the Chargers will challenge them, starting this season, and that Hebert will be a major reason why. I’ll also look forward to years of Mahomes-Hebert shoot-outs, in much the same way I looked forward to Tom Brady’s decades of tough games with division rivals. Oh, wait … whoops …”
