The Chargers locked up their playoff spot with a win in New England.
The Bolts will now travel to close out the regular season in Las Vegas to take on the Raiders on Sunday.
NFL analysts and publications have released their weekly power rankings. Take a look at where the Bolts are ranked as they enter Week 18.
No. 8: NFL Nation, Kris Rhim – ESPN (Last Week: No. 11)
No. 9: Eric Edholm – NFL.com (Last Week: No. 10)
For a few weeks, it looked like the Chargers had hit the proverbial wall. Since then, they've scratched out a crucial win against the Broncos and throttled the Patriots on the road, reviving the vibes around Los Angeles. The return of J.K. Dobbins on Saturday helped balance out the offense a bit, and Ladd McConkey overcame an early drop to turn in his second two-TD performance of the season. He also surpassed the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie, which is pretty darned impressive for a non-first-rounder who stepped onto a team that lacked a true No. 1 receiver. Now McConkey is in that role. We also should point out the bounceback season for Derwin James, a player whose future seemingly hung in the balance this offseason. He's up to 5.5 sacks, settling beautifully into his role in Jesse Minter's defense. This team certainly is capable of pulling off a first-round upset. The question is whether it's ready to challenge the league's premier contenders on a playoff stage.
No. 9: BR NFL Staff – Bleacher Report (Last Week: No. 11)
McConkey eclipsed 1,000 yards with Sunday's eight-catch, 94-yard effort against the New England Patriots. In doing so, this year's 34th overall draft pick tied the NFL rookie record set by Odell Beckham Jr. with nine straight games of 50 or more receiving yardage. As long as the Chargers get something out of Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer and/or their tight ends, they'll be a difficult matchup once the postseason begins.
No. 9: Frank Schwab – Yahoo Sports (Last Week: No. 11)
The Chargers are capable of competing with anyone.
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
Take a look back at the Chargers Week 17 matchup with the Patriots in monochrome!
No. 9: Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk (Last Week: No. 10)
No. 10: Josh Kendall – The Athletic (Last Week: No. 12)
In his first year after taking over what was a five-win team last season, Harbaugh has doubled the win total with one game left and has the Chargers in the top 10 in the league in point differential (plus-87). Justin Herbert passed for three touchdowns and 281 yards Saturday as they rolled the Patriots.
No. 11: Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated (Last Week: No. 12)
No. 11: Pete Prisco – CBS Sports (Last Week: No. 12)
They are in the playoffs and will be a tough out if they play like they did at New England. Justin Herbert was cooking in that game.
Get an inside look at the postgame celebration from the Bolts 40-7 win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
No. 11: Diante Lee – The Ringer (Last Week: No. 12)
The combination of head coach Jim Harbaugh's player development and quarterback Justin Herbert's elite play is enough to make L.A. a nightmare matchup in the postseason. The Chargers mowed New England down on Sunday, and if they stay committed to putting the ball in Herbert's hands, I have no reason to doubt that they can make life hell for any of the top teams in the conference.
No. 11: Nate Davis – USA Today (Last Week: No. 12)
Justin Herbert has joined Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson as the only quarterbacks to throw for at least 3,000 yards and 20 TDs in each of their first five seasons.
No. 12: Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News (Last Week: No. 12)
