Around the AFC West, Week 10: Are the L.A. Chargers legitimate contenders?

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers traveled to Seattle to take on the Seahawks on Sunday. This was an important game because the Chargers have only played really really good teams (Chiefs and Rams) and really really bad teams (Raiders, Bills, etc.). They had lost to the good teams and easily beaten the bad. My question was, could they beat an average team? The answer was yes, but only barely.

The Chargers walked out of Seattle with a 25-17 win after holding off a late rally from the Seahawks. A pick six from Desmond King proved to be the killer in this game. Seattle definitely had a chance to win this game in what echoed of the Thursday night Chiefs-Raiders game that could not end on a defensive penalty. With no time left on the clock, Seattle had a chance at an untimed down but a partially tipped pass couldn’t be brought in and the Chargers walked away with a win.

The Chargers have now won five in a row and people are wondering if the Chargers deserve to be in the conversation as contenders. I think there is an argument to be made, but one thing stands in the way: L.A.’s inability to beat the Chiefs. The Chargers haven’t been able to beat the Chiefs in years and until they do, they aren’t contenders because they aren’t contending for the AFC West crown.

While Philip Rivers is having a great year, there are issues behind him that need to be resolved. Most notably, the Chargers have kicking issues. Caleb Sturgis missed two extra points and a 42-yard field goal attempt prompting the Chargers to release him on Monday. They have moved up Michael Badgley from the practice squad to fill his spot. We’ll see if this is the fix they need or if kicking issues could come back to haunt them.

Either way, the Chargers have a pretty easy schedule the rest of the way with the most difficult games being at the Steelers and at K.C. That Thursday night game in December at Arrowhead looks to be an important one for both teams

Next week, the Chargers travel to Oakland. Obviously, Oakland is a dumpster fire at this point and the Chargers are on a roll. With the imminent return of Joey Bosa, the already tough Chargers defense is only looking to get better. Melvin Gordon has been on fire and Philip Rivers is having a career year. I anticipate this game is a walk in the park for the Chargers and that they will notch another win on their victory belt. Game time is 3:05 p.m.