T
he Los Angeles Chargers are rolling. Coming off of an 11-6 season in 2024, the Chargers invested heavily on adding more talent this offseason, entering 2025 as contenders. And to start the new season, the Chargers took down the reigning AFC champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, by a score of 27-21 to begin their Super Bowl quest 1-0.
Getting the upset win over a tough Chiefs team in Brazil was no easy task and for a team looking to win the AFC West it was a big deal. A big game out of star quarterback Justin Herbert was the catalyst, leading to the sixth-year veteran to crack the top 10 in The Athletic’s latest QB power rankings.
Herbert’s Ranking
Herbert is coming off of his best season as a pro, but with his history of coming up short in big games, he was not viewed as highly coming into 2025 as he had been in years past. But after tearing apart an elite Chiefs defense, throwing for 318 yards and three touchdowns, expectations soured in Los Angeles for the Chargers to be a top team. In the process, Herbert got a lot of praise from writers, particularly Jeff Howe of The Athletic.
Justin Herbert caused an international incident,” Howe said.
In his first season playing under head coach Jim Harbaugh last season, Herbert threw 23 touchdown passes while only being intercepted three times- posting one of the best ever TD:INT ratios in NFL history among qualified quarterbacks. Now having a year of experience in Harbaugh’s offense under his belt, Herbert could be in line for an even bigger season this time around.
Can the Chargers Win the AFC West?
For the past nine consecutive seasons, the Chiefs have won the AFC West. But for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the division is much more competitive, with teams like the Chargers, Raiders and Broncos all much improved and having a fighting chance to take home the division title. If that is the case, and the Chiefs do not win the division, it will mark a new era for the division and prove that the era of Chiefs dominance could be winding down.
The Chargers are a team that could be the biggest contenders to dethrone the Chiefs. Aside from beating them in week one, the Chargers roster returns not only a lot of players from last season, but is much improved as well. Allowing the least amount of points among all NFL defenses last season and being among the league’s best units, the Chargers defense is elite once again and is one that could carry them towards the finish line. Combine that with a strong offense that includes Herbert, Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris, Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen, among others, and the Chargers are very dangerous.
Chargers’ Justin Herbert Cracks Top 10 in Latest Quarterback Power Rankings