Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: Breaking down where each team sits in Week 12

By Peter Panacy

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 19: Patrick Chung #23 of the New England Patriots celebrates with teammates after a fumble recovery against the Oakland Raiders during the second half at Estadio Azteca on November 19, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 19: Patrick Chung #23 of the New England Patriots celebrates with teammates after a fumble recovery against the Oakland Raiders during the second half at Estadio Azteca on November 19, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – NOVEMBER 19: Tre Boston #33 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs back his interception during the first quarter of the game against the Buffalo Bills at the StubHub Center on November 19, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – NOVEMBER 19: Tre Boston #33 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs back his interception during the first quarter of the game against the Buffalo Bills at the StubHub Center on November 19, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

. W, 54-24 vs. Bills. Previous: . Los Angeles Chargers. 16. team. 13

Despite the fact they benefited from a rookie quarterback throwing picks like it was Halloween candy, it’s impossible to overlook how good the Chargers have actually been this season.

Not Super Bowl-good, or anything like that, but certainly a challenge to any team facing them.

Quarterback Philip Rivers continues to perform well this season, adding another two touchdowns to his career mark. And wide receiver Keenan Allen made fantasy owners happy with 159 receiving yards and hauling in those two touchdown passes.

OK, this game was a blowout. Let’s focus on the bigger picture.

L.A. lost two games in a row before this contest. In Week 8 before their bye week, the Chargers lost a one-possession game on the road to the Patriots. Two weeks later, the Chargers lost on the road again, that time in overtime to the Jaguars.

Prior to those two losses, L.A. had won three in a row. A bounce here and a lucky break there, the Chargers could have easily been on a six-game winning streak after this big victory in Week 12.

Maybe they’re not that bad after all. Heck, that’s pretty good.