Where Chargers stand in NFL power rankings after Week 3
It came down to the wire for the Chargers yet again, but for the second week in a row, they were unable to prevail against the Panthers in Week 3.
After the loss, let’s see what the nation thinks of Los Angeles:
USA Today: 24 (Previous: 15)
“Wholly unfair as it might be for QB Tyrod Taylor personally, it just makes no sense from a team perspective to pull promising rookie Justin Herbert from the lineup at this point.”
Touchdown Wire: 21 (Previous: 13)
“With starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor out indefinitely due to a punctured lung at the hands of a Chargers team physician, the only choice head coach Anthony Lynn has is to throw rookie Justin Herbert under center and let him take his lumps. Herbert hasn’t played badly in two starts against the Chiefs and Panthers in two close losses, and in fact, Lynn’s team was right in their 21-16 Sunday loss to Carolina with a hook-and-ladder play that would have provided one of the best stories of the 2020 season.”
NFL: 19 (Previous: 18)
“If Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler connect on an uncontested lateral toss, Ekeler sprints into the end zone for a miracle walk-off touchdown, and the Chargers are the talk of the league. But, in true Chargers fashion, the ball instead hit the carpet, and the Bolts were saddled with a 21-16 loss to the previously winless Panthers. The game featured growing pains for rookie QB Justin Herbert, who threw a touchdown pass in another 300-yard performance but also had an interception and lost fumble. With Tyrod Taylor reportedly expected to remain sidelined, it will be Herbert playing opposite a man literally twice his age in Tom Brady. A formidable Bucs defense will pose a serious challenge for the rookie.”
ESPN: 19 (Previous: 18)
“The Chargers are struggling with turnovers — both in causing and not committing them — again. Last year, they had 14 takeaways (worst in the league) and 31 giveaways (fourth worst in the league) to result in an NFL-worst minus-17 turnover differential. After forcing two turnovers in a season-opening victory, the Chargers haven’t had a takeaway in the past two games. They’ve committed five turnovers, including four to Carolina this past Sunday.”
CBS Sports: 19 (Previous: 15)
“Justin Herbert did some good things in his first start, but that was a bad home loss to the Panthers. Tyrod Taylor should be back this week.”
Sports Illustrated: 19
“Rookie QB Justin Herbert was one dropped lateral on a hook-and-ladder play away from leading the Chargers on a game-winning 99-yard drive, but a tough loss to the Panthers is now followed by a cross-country trip to visit Tom Brady’s Bucs.”
Sporting News: 22 (Previous: 17)
“Justin Herbert has had his moments over his first two starts, but he still is searching for a win. The Chargers’ defense is being put in tougher positions and the passing game needs to be a little more explosive.”
