It does feel weird to put the Chargers this high, but I think it's a good position for them when I consider the landscape of the NFL right now. My number eight team in the Jags actually beat the Chargers in the playoffs in 2022. It was a rough loss where the Chargers blew a massive lead, but at the end of the day it was a close game. Also, the Chargers are more proven overall than the Jaguars. The Jags JUST became a winning team that barely made the playoffs, while the Chargers have had several consecutive winning seasons and a more proven QB. Besides, there is only a one spot difference between the two teams.
The Chargers have my #4 ranked QB in the NFL in Justin Herbert and my #4 running back in the NFL in Austin Eckeler. That is some LEGIT offensive talent.
Justin Herbert enters his fourth season as the Chargers QB. With Herbert as QB, the Chargers have won 7, 9, and then 10. If this trend continues the Chargers will win at least 11 games in 2023, and I believe there's a solid chance that happens.
Defensively for the Chargers, they have some solid name recognition, but the results on the field have been fairly underwhelming. There's potential for a dominant defense all over the field with players like linebackers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. In the secondary they have some studs like J.C. Jackson and Derwin James. I expect the defense to be better soon, I can't imagine that they will struggle as much as they did in 2022. The defense was not even bad, they just did not meet expectations. The Chargers actually drafted just three defensive players versus the four they drafted on offense. I imagine they expect the defense to improve simply based on some of their star power on defense.
The Chargers have a lot of good pieces, are pretty stable at QB and even head coach. Even though they are a Los Angeles team, I feel like they're under the radar and could level up in 2023.
