The Chargers fell in a last-minute loss on Sunday night to move to 8-5 on the season with four games left.
The Bolts will now return for a two-game homestand starting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
NFL analysts and publications have released their weekly power rankings. Take a look at where the Bolts are ranked as they enter Week 15.
No. 9: Pete Prisco – CBS Sports (Last Week: No. 8)
That was a tough loss to the Chiefs on the road, but they rallied back and the defense played well, which has been their calling card all year. At 8-5, they would be the sixth seed right now.
No. 9: Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News (Last Week: No. 8)
The Chargers are sorting through some offensive injuries again but are hanging tough with the running game and defense continuing to do their part for Jim Harbaugh. The division title isn't happening in his first season, but they're still in great shape for a wild card.
No. 9: Eric Edholm – NFL.com (Last Week: No. 9)
Sunday night's loss stings, for sure, and it gives the Bolts an idea of what more they need to do to beat quality teams. That's now three straight one-score losses to Kansas City. Even still, Justin Herbert kept dealing and kept making big throws, and the play-action and run games both started working again. I think the offense will be OK once McConkey returns to the lineup, and as long as the Chargers don't flounder down the stretch, they will be in the playoffs and will make for an especially thorny first-round opponent.
No. 9: NFL Nation, Kris Rhim – ESPN (Last Week: No. 9)
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 14 matchup with the Chiefs in monochrome!
No. 10: Diante Lee – The Ringer (Last Week: No. 9)
No. 10: BR NFL Staff – Bleacher Report (Last Week: No. 9)
The Chargers will have to rebound quickly—Los Angeles plays two straight against teams who would be in the playoffs if the season ended today before closing the schedule with two road games against AFC tomato cans.
No. 11: Frank Schwab – Yahoo Sports (Last Week: No. 11)
The Chargers were without receiver Ladd McConkey and running back J.K. Dobbins on Sunday night, tight end Will Dissly missed the second half and quarterback Justin Herbert was banged up too. They still almost won at Kansas City. The Chargers are capable of winning a road playoff game.
No. 11: Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk (Last Week: No. 11)
Browse through live action photos of the Bolts Week 14 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium!
No. 12: Josh Kendall – The Athletic (Last Week: No. 11)
Breakout player: Wide receiver Ladd McConkey
Even after missing Sunday night's game with shoulder and knee injuries (and you could tell how much Justin Herbert missed him), McConkey is 20th in the league in receiving yards (815). Since Week 10, he is fourth in receiving yards per game (93.75). Not bad for the ninth receiver selected in the 2024 draft.
No. 12: Nate Davis – USA Today (Last Week: No. 12)
Pretty good effort Sunday night at Arrowhead, especially with RB J.K. Dobbins and WR Ladd McConkey, the Bolts' leaders in yards from scrimmage, both unavailable.
No. 13: Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated (Last Week: No. 9)
The explosive get off from the line of scrimmage on Sunday night against Kansas City and the ability to hold on to the ball during a massive collision was impressive. If [Quentin] Johnston can develop on this kind of timeline we could have a beast on our hands in Year 3.