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NFL Power Rankings: L.A. Chargers join league's elite following huge Week 1 win

The Los Angeles Chargers were a team facing many questions heading into the start of the 2025 NFL season. They were expected to compete and build upon last season's Wild Card berth, at least until the season-ending injury for Rashawn later occurred.

Could the team overcome that injury and be able to hang with the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs? Having to travel all the way to Brazil for what was considered a home game, the Chargers could send a huge message to the league with a victory. But not many expected them to pull it off.

However, Justin Herbert put forth what may have been his best performance to date and the Chargers got one of the most impressive wins of Week 1. What did that do for them in the power rankings?

Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News had the Chargers come in at No. 10 in his rankings before the season started and with this win, they have come all the way up to No. 6.

"The Chargers got over the hump with Justin Herbert not letting a lead go late and they showed how explosive the offense can be even with the running game working out kinks. Jim Harbaugh has developed a real threat to win the AFC in a hurry", wrote Iyer.

This is high praise, but it's deserved. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs last Friday night and they didn't just sneak by, they looked like the better team throughout the contest. If Herbert plays like he did in that game, the sky is the limit for this Chargers squad.

READ: Who will be Chargers' biggest x-factor in 2025?

Only two AFC teams — Buffalo and Baltimore — were ranked ahead of the Chargers. They have an intriguing game ahead of them in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders. That game will take place in Vegas on Monday Night Football.