Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Post-Super Bowl 53 wrap-up for 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 13: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 13: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Chargers. 7. team. 13. . 12-4 record.

For the first time in what seems like a while, the Los Angeles Chargers finally lived up to expectations. Hence why they finish at No. 7 in our NFL power rankings.

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It’s pretty notable the Chargers finished a 12-win team, especially considering they play in a division that includes the Kansas City Chiefs, who’ll likely enter 2019 as top contenders for Super Bowl LIV.

Safety Derwin James is a stud. All the teams that picked ahead of L.A. in the 2018 NFL Draft have to be shaking their heads at that mistake, as the Pro Bowler will be a linchpin of the Chargers defense for a long, long time.

That defense, which finished in the top 10 in fewest points against, missed EDGE Joey Bosa to a foot injury for much of the year, too. Just think if he winds up being available for the entire 2019 season.

Yet the focus in L.A. will continue to fall upon the arm of veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, who continues to be one of the most unheralded signal-callers of this era.

If the Chargers can keep Rivers upright in 2019, they should be a key team to watch for yet another deep playoff run.