Coaching Edge
Jim Harbaugh wants a physical run game to protect Justin Herbert before the offense takes selective downfield shots. The defense hides its pressure until late and tries to force the quarterback into a wrong protection call.
Los Angeles Chargers 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings
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83.9PFM Team Scorei
PFM Verdict
Why PFM Ranks the Chargers Here
Justin Herbert gives the Chargers elite quarterback play, and Jim Harbaugh has built a clear physical identity around him. Los Angeles sits No. 10 because offensive-line health repeatedly decides whether Herbert can operate in rhythm or has to rescue the offense. When the protection holds, the Chargers can stay balanced; when it breaks, the offense becomes too dependent on one player.
NFL Rank#10Current PFM ranking
AFC Rank#5Among AFC teams
QB Stability#4Justin Herbert · Franchise Locked In
Season OutlookPlayoff Contender
Head coachJim Harbaugh
Offensive coordinatorMike McDaniel
Defensive coordinatorChris O'Leary
Regular-Season Baseline
Baseline September 8, 2026PFM Trend
Current stateBaseline set
Los Angeles starts the regular season with a 83.9 PFM Team Score and the No. 10 spot in PFM’s NFL rankings. Movement will appear after the first published weekly ratings update.
PFM Team Score83.9
Score movementStarts here
NFL RankNo. 10
Rank movementStarts here
PFM Team DNA
View all NFL team rankingsLos Angeles Chargers Team DNA
Los Angeles Needs More Chunk Plays
Big-play production is the swing factor. More explosive plays would take the pressure off of Justin Herbert.
PFM CALL
Locks September 13th at 4:25 PM EDT
Who wins Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Chargers?
Week 1 matchup
AwayARI0-0
HomeLAC0-0
Pick the winner.
PFM ROAD AHEAD
2026 Los Angeles Chargers Strength of Schedule
Los Angeles owns one of the tougher schedules in the league because Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs form the hardest part of it. PFM has the schedule No. 2 with an opponent average of 82.0 and 9 games against current top-10 teams. The road is not difficult from start to finish, but the stretch around Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs leaves little room for an off week.
Difficulty Rank#2No. 1 is toughest
Opponent PFM Avg.82.0Average across opponents
Next 3 Avg.77.2Upcoming opponents
Top-10 Matchups9Games vs. current top 10
Away games left9
Top-10 road opponents5
vs. Arizona Cardinals73.3 PFM · #27
Sep 13 · 4:25 pmHomeBottom 10
vs. Las Vegas Raiders72.7 PFM · #28
Sep 20 · 4:05 pmHomeBottom 10
at Buffalo Bills85.7 PFM · #7
Sep 27 · 1:00 pmAwayTop 10
Toughest remaining opponent: 
Seattle Seahawks at 91.1 PFM.
PFM ReporterReported
Tyler Biadasz Is Officially Out for the 2026 Season
The Chargers moved Tyler Biadasz to season-ending injured reserve, turning the earlier indefinite timetable into a full-season loss.
Los Angeles signed Biadasz to stabilize the middle of the line in front of Justin Herbert, so this affects the entire offense. Rookie Jake Slaughter is now next in line at center. This will likely cause a slight ratings drop for the Chargers in the next update.
Around the League
League Context
Closest Team DNA Match
Built Like Denver Broncos
Denver BroncosMatch distance: 1.89 rating points
Shared profile: Offense and Coaching Direction.
Los Angeles Chargers get early-down control from the offensive line, and Denver answers with on-schedule throws from the offensive line. two important parts of the roster connect the teams because each side has a football answer beyond the first option. Los Angeles Chargers separate in QB Stability through a more dependable answer when the offense falls behind schedule.
Where they separate: QB Stability. Chargers hold the stronger current rating.
Division Pressure
AFC West
Kansas City and Denver make every AFC West mistake expensive. Justin Herbert gives the Chargers enough talent to split either matchup, but line health and a dependable run game determine whether Los Angeles finishes ahead of them over a full season.
Supporting Team Information
More About the Team
Badge History2 active badges · Last verified change Jul 17, 2026
- Jul 17, 2026 · Badge tracking startedEarned Coaching Edge, Quarterback Edge
Los Angeles Chargers in the Super Bowl Era
The Chargers are 0–1 in their only Super Bowl appearance.
- Super Bowl Titles
- 0
- Super Bowl Appearances
- 1
- Super Bowl Record
- 0–1
- Last Appearance
- 1995 Super Bowl XXIX
Current Injuries
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams