Omar Navarro
TheChargers clinched a playoff spotand are on a four-game win streak after anotherroad win against the Cowboys.
The Bolts are back home for their regular season finale against the Texans.Kickoff against Houstonfrom SoFi Stadium is at 1:30 p.m. (PT).
NFL analysts and publications have released their weekly power rankings. Take a look at where the Bolts are ranked as they enterWeek 17.
No. 9: NFL Nation Kris RhimESPN(Last Week: No. 11)
Rookie of the year: Wide receiver Tre' Harris
If not for injury, this honor likely would have gone to running back Omarion Hampton. Instead, it goes to Harris, who has emerged as a surprisingly impactful run blocker who made several big plays in the passing game recently. The latest came in a win over the Chiefs in Week 15, when Harris hauled in a 37-yard reception that set up a momentum-shifting touchdown just before halftime.
No. 9: Vinnie IyerSporting News(Last Week: No. 10)
The Chargers went into Dallas and used it for a get-well offensive game with more juice from their defense, too. Justin Herbert needed that and so did Jim Harbaugh.
No. 9:Ralph VacchianoFox Sports(Last Week: No. 10)
Maybe the Cowboys defense is what Justin Herbert needed to get himself right again. Meanwhile, the Chargers have now won seven of their past eight.
No. 9: Dan WilkinstheScore(Last Week: No. 11)
No. 10: Chad Graff & Josh KendallThe Athletic(Last Week: No. 11)
No. 10: Conor OrrSports Illustrated(Last Week: No. 9)
The Chargers are allowing fewer than 10 second-half points per game this season and, over the last three games, are allowing fewer than five second-half points per game.
No. 10: Mike FlorioPro Football Talk(Last Week: No. 11)
Justin Herbert is playing better than ever.
No. 10: Frank SchwabYahoo Sports(Last Week: No. 12)
The Broncos' loss to the Jaguars on Sunday was huge for Los Angeles. The Chargers are just a game behind the Broncos in the AFC West race, and if they beat the Texans on Saturday (or Denver loses to Kansas City on Thursday), a Week 18 game at Denver will be for the division title. The Chargers already have a win over Denver and a win in the finale would give them a season sweep and the tiebreaker. There's even a small path for the Chargers to get the No. 1 seed. Week 16 was really good for the Chargers.
No. 10: Nate DavisUSA Today(Last Week: No. 11)
QB Justin Herbert's toughness and greatness has perhaps obscured the fact that, since the Bolts' Week 12 bye, they haven't allowed 20 points to any of the opponents they've vanquished on their four-game winning streak. Extend it to six, and LA takes the AFC West.
No. 11: Pete PriscoCBS Sports(Last Week: No. 11)
No. 11: Eric EdholmNFL.com(Last Week: No. 11)
Quentin Johnston was back, Ladd McConkey got back in the end zone, and Herbert played at a playoff-ready level. The defense took a few early shots but really finished well. The next two games are two barnburners -- vs. Houston, at Denver -- so there's no rest for the weary, but that's now four straight wins and another move up.
No. 11: Brent SobleskiBleacher Report(Last Week: No. 13)
The Los Angeles Chargers are chasing the Denver Broncos for the AFC West title, and the two teams will meet in the final week of the season. First, the Chargers host the Houston Texans in their home season finale.
Still, the Chargers, banged-up and bruised, are one of the AFC's best with a shot at a division title.
