The Bolts got back into the win column in Week 6 after a road victory over the Broncos.
The Chargers now prepare for a long week as they gear up to travel to Arizona and play the Cardinals on Monday Night Football.
NFL analysts and publications have released their weekly power rankings. Take a look at where the Bolts are ranked as they enter Week 7.
No. 12: Josh Kendall – The Athletic (Last Week: No. 12)
One Big Question: Is the defense really this good?
The Chargers lead the league in points allowed (13.2), but that might be propped up by the schedule (four of their five opponents are bottom 12 in the league in scoring), the turnover margin (plus-7, which ranks tied for second in the league) and an offense that plays keep-away (seventh in time of possession). The Broncos gained 6 yards per play on Sunday, but the Chargers played their plodding game, getting 96 yards out of J.K. Dobbins and holding on to the ball for more than 37 minutes.
No. 14: Pete Prisco – CBS Sports (Last Week: No. 20)
Coming out of the bye, they dominated the Broncos. The defense really showed up as they've overcome a lot of injuries on that side of the ball.
No. 15: Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated (Last Week: No. 15)
I'm finally starting to get it. Ripping off a 20-play drive that just ends with a field goal is such a middle finger to the opposition. And utilizing Justin Herbert as a kind of In Case of Emergency switch is kind of brilliant and back-breaking when you really think about it. Run the ball, then when the defense finally gets you into a third-and-4, allow Herbert to extend the play and whip a ball over the middle to Stone Smartt. What a way to drain the life out of your opponents.
No. 15: Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News (Last Week: No. 16)
The Chargers haven't needed Justin Herbert to do much, but he looked healthier post-bye throwing the ball around on the Broncos while leaning well on the run. L.A. is also seeing plenty to love about Jesse Minter's defense.
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 6 matchup with the Broncos in monochrome!
No. 15: Eric Edholm – NFL.com (Last Week: No. 19)
I never lost faith in the Chargers, and the early bye week seemed to give them great energy in building a 23-0 fourth-quarter lead in Denver. The big story was Justin Herbert throwing the ball more than he had all season, racking up 184 first-half pass yards and looking healthy and confident in the process. The Chargers got a little too conservative in the second half, especially without four-minute back Gus Edwards, who landed on IR, but they held on for the win in a very clean game (three mostly harmless penalties, zero turnovers) to improve to 2-1 on the road and in the division. The defense was strong early, led by big plays from Khalil Mack and Elijah Molden, and the offense received some pleasant-surprise contributions from the likes of Kimani Vidal and Simi Fehoko. Also good to see Jim Harbaugh back quickly after leaving the game with what he called "atrial flutters." I've had those, too, and they're no fun.
No. 15: Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk (Last Week: No. 20)
No. 16: BR NFL Staff – Bleacher Report (Last Week: No. 20)
The bye week did wonders for the Chargers, who snapped a two-game losing streak and earned a fairly convincing win over the rival Broncos—though Denver certainly made things interesting late. If this team can somehow manage to put its injury woes in the rear view, L.A. should be a relevant factor in the AFC playoff race.
While I'm still not fully convinced the Chargers are a legitimate contender, their schedule is favorable. None of L.A.'s next five opponents currently owns more than two wins. Jim Harbaugh's squad has, thus far, shown an ability to beat the teams it is supposed to beat. If that trend holds, the Chargers will have plenty to play for entering December.
No. 17: NFL Nation, Kris Rhim – ESPN (Last Week: No. 18)
Lesson learned: Coordinator Jesse Minter has changed the defense.
Since the Chargers drafted QB Justin Herbert in 2020, they have had one of the league's worst defenses. They allowed the fifth-most points (24.9) and the 10th-most yards (353.3) per game over that span. Through five games in 2024, however, the Chargers have one of the league's best defenses, allowing the fewest points per game in the NFL through six weeks (13.2). The Chargers have allowed fewer than 21 points in each of their first five games of the season for the third time in franchise history.
Get an inside look at the postgame celebration from the Bolts 23-16 win over the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
No. 17: Nate Davis – USA Today (Last Week: No. 18)
No. 18: Frank Schwab – Yahoo Sports (Last Week: No. 22)
Rookie RB Kimani Vidal made his debut and looked good on a 38-yard touchdown catch.
No. 20: Diante Lee – The Ringer (Last Week: No. 25)
Los Angeles came out of its bye week more willing to put the game in quarterback Justin Herbert's hands than we had seen so far, and it helped the Chargers run up a quick 20-0 lead that effectively ended the game by halftime. This passing game wasn't a total deviation from the dink-and-dunk style we saw in the first month of the year, but it felt like there was a more concerted effort to give Herbert options to work with over the middle of the field, and he took total advantage. I'm still not certain what to make of this defense, given the nature of the Chargers' light schedule so far, but if we're taking the Steelers seriously this season it's hard not to do the same for the Bolts.
