The Bolts got back in the win column Sunday after a big win over the Saints at SoFi Stadium.
The Chargers now prepare to hit the road again for a trip to Cleveland to take on the Browns.
NFL analysts and publications have released their weekly power rankings. Take a look at where the Bolts are ranked as they enter Week 9.
No. 13: Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated (Last Week: No. 19)
The Chargers are not perfect but they're starting to make some sense. This week's Browns matchup, with the surging Broncos also facing a difficult test, is quietly fascinating.
No. 15: Eric Edholm – NFL.com (Last Week: No. 17)
The Chargers offense remains a work in progress. It broke an eight-quarter TD-less streak and the wide receivers finally broke out, with Ladd McConkey catching two second-half scoring passes. Oh, and it was their fifth turnover-free game this season. But there were too many pass-protection breakdowns to call it a good day offensively, even while scoring a season-high 26 points. Justin Herbert was sacked three times and hit four more, with every starting lineman other than rookie Joe Alt allowing multiple pressures. Herbert also escaped a few would-be sacks, turning one into a career-best 38-yard scramble, but he needs better protection. The eight points the Chargers' defense allowed Sunday were their second-fewest on the season, and c's unit has yet to give up more than 20, so this one fit the theme of previous victories. Right now, keeping Herbert healthy feels like the most overwhelming concern.
No. 15: BR NFL Staff – Bleacher Report (Last Week: No. 20)
The Chargers offense is a different animal when it can actually stretch the field with wide receivers. They were able to do that with a healthy McConkey on Sunday, and I expect to see continued offensive growth once Quentin Johnston (ankle) returns to the lineup. If head coach Jim Harbaugh can marry even an average offense to the league's top-ranked scoring defense, Los Angeles should be relevant over the second half of the season.
No. 15: Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News (Last Week: No. 18)
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.
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 8 matchup with the Saints in monochrome!
No. 16: Diante Lee – The Ringer (Last Week: No. 19)
The saving grace here is that Jesse Minter has arguably been the best defensive play caller in the league through the first half of the season, and his unit has done an incredible job of getting off the field and giving the offense enough chances to score points.
No. 16: Josh Kendall – The Athletic (Last Week: No. 18)
No. 16: Pete Prisco – CBS Sports (Last Week: No. 20)
At 4-3, the defense has really come up big for this group. The good thing about the offense is Justin Herbert is starting to throw it around more.
No. 17: NFL Nation, Kris Rhim – ESPN (Last Week: No. 18)
Best offseason addition: Running back J.K. Dobbins
After the Chargers' win over the Saints, coach Jim Harbaugh used his news conference to campaign for Dobbins as the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. "If I am the first to nominate him, then so be it," Harbaugh said. After an Achilles tear ended Dobbins' season in Week 1 last year, he has been one of the league's best running backs. He is sixth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (76.4) and is tied for sixth in rushes of 10-plus yards (14).
Get an inside look at the postgame celebration from the Bolts 26-8 win over the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium.
No. 18: Frank Schwab – Yahoo Sports (Last Week: No. 22)
No. 18: Nate Davis – USA Today (Last Week: No. 19)
They're getting nice returns from their rookie class. Per Next Gen Stats, RT Joe Alt didn't concede one pressure on 38 pass-blocking plays Sunday, tied for the best showing by a rook in the past three seasons. Meanwhile WR Ladd McConkey's six-catch, 111-yard, two-TD game might have cemented him as QB Justin Herbert's primary target for years to come. McConkey's 100-yard day was the first by a Bolts rookie in 11 years.
No. 18: Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk (Last Week: No. 18)
