5. Los Angeles Chargers
In year 1 of the Brandon Staley era, the Los Angeles Chargers just might be the best team in the AFC. They already have wins against the Chiefs, Raiders, and Browns, and get to play the Ravens next.
Justin Herbert is a true MVP candidate, commanding an offense that is scoring 28.4 points per game. He hasn’t thrown an interception in 3 games, and the Chargers seem to have put their patented “collapse in the fourth quarter” nonsense behind them.
Their defense hasn’t been quite as good as I think most of us thought they would be, but with Brandon Staley running the show, they’re sure to figure it out. Their defense is surrendering 23 points per game, which is quite a bit.
The Chargers look to be the favorite in the AFC West, which is weird to say, but they have some very winnable games remaining on their schedule, so expect them to keep winning.
4. Los Angeles Rams
I love the Rams. I love Sean McVay, and I freakin’ love Matthew Stafford. They have it all going for them right now. Stafford looks like a true MVP candidate, and I think people are finally starting to realize how good they are.
Their defense has taken a step back, but their offense has really exploded. Cooper Kupp looks like the best receiver in football, and the Rams sit just a game behind the Cardinals in the division, so they’re in a good spot.
I do worry about their depth, but they’ve been on the luckier side when it comes to injuries the past few years.
I hope the Rams’ success shows people how bad Jared Goff was, and how underrated Matthew Stafford was.