NFL Power Ranking Preseason Edition: NFC only gets better
![DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws as he warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws as he warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/074525d1560bc81c0b1ed9b378df00ab1586eb6e7f7eb68b12bf178a730333c3.jpg)
14. team. 13. . . . Los Angeles Chargers
Philip Rivers is back for his 15th season and still searching for his first Super Bowl appearance. San Diego/Los Angeles Charger fans haven’t seen a playoff win since January 2013, and time is running out for the 36-year-old quarterback.
Every season seems to be “the Chargers year” where every media outlet and analyst picks them to make the playoffs. Those dreams were hit hard when both Hunter Henry and Jason Verrett suffered season-ending lower-body injuries. Stars on the Chargers can never seem to stay healthy.
More from NFL Mocks
- NFL Draft: Ranking the top signal callers of the 2024 NFL QB Class
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft Journal: Cardinals, Falcons tank for USC QB Caleb Williams
- Patriots News & Rumors: Ezekiel Elliott talks fun in Foxboro; Mills to Packers?
- Fantasy Football: 5 reasons Colts QB Anthony Richardson can be a top-end option
- Packers’ Lukas Van Ness will make a Lambeau leap into the NFL in 2023
If Los Angeles can hold it together they have the talent to win this year with three really good wide receivers and a star running back. Hopefully Forrest Lamp is healthy and can join Dan Feeney up front and protect Rivers.
Losing Verrett was painful, but the Chargers still have Joey Bosa, Denzel Perryman, Melvin Ingram, and Casey Hayward to lead the charge on defense. Rookie Derwin James fell into the Chargers lap during the draft, finally giving them the long-term replacement to Eric Weddle.
Los Angeles doesn’t have a horrible schedule with their furthest trip (Buffalo) scheduled for week two. Three of their last five games are on the road, including a trip to Kansas City for week 15.