NFL Power Rankings: Chargers still sitting middle of pack, but slowly building a monster

The Los Angeles Chargers bounced back from a tough loss to the Arizona Cardinals by shellacking the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, moving them up a few notches in the weekly power rankings.

Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News has released his post-Week 8 power rankings and the Chargers check in at No. 15 this week, up three slots from last week. At 4-3, this is an appropriate spot for the Chargers, who are firmly in the race for a playoff spot heading into the second half of the season.

Here is what Iyer had to say about the Chargers this week:

"The Chargers don't get many style points for how they win with tough defense, a solid running game, and flashes from Justin Herbert, but they are effective and will keep at least putting pressure on the Broncos as the top AFC West wild-card option."

Fans may have a slight gripe that the Denver Broncos are listed a couple of spots ahead, considering the Chargers beat Denver earlier this season, but aside from that, this is a good slot for the team. The Chargers are right in the middle of the league, but those observing the team closely can see a strong contender being built.

The Chargers have what we knew they would have with Jim Harbaugh as the head coach... an effective running game led by a strong offensive line and a hard-nosed defense. But they received something on Sunday which, if consistency can be formed, it makes the team extremely hard to beat.

Ladd McConkey, a rising star, put together his best game as a pro , catching two touchdown passes as a part of his 111-yard performance. Justin Herbert is one of the best pure passers in the league and if the team can dictate the pace with a strong running game and keep the game low scoring with its defense before turning things over to Herbert to make a key throw with the game in the balance, this becomes a scary team.

When the playoffs start each season, there is always that team that gets the label of a team that no one is going to want to play. When the playoffs start at the end of this season, that team could easily be the Chargers.

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