Imagine how good the Chargers would be if they were healthy.
The injury list just keeps growing, yet the Chargers somehow keep winning — and winning in impressive style.
The Bolts jumped up one spot to No. 4 in the Post’s NFL Power Rankings after a 33-14 victory over the hapless Jaguars last Sunday improved them to 3-1 while securing sole possession of first place in the AFC West.
The Chargers are on a roll (Sunday’s victory was their third in a row after an 18-17 loss to the Cardinals on opening weekend) despite a medical section that continues to be standing-room only.
Key contributors Danny Woodhead, Melvin Ingram and Nick Hardwick are already on injured reserve (Ingram is slated for a midseason return), and Manti Te’o and Ryan Matthews are sidelined indefinitely.
Few teams would be able to withstand such an onslaught of injuries, but the Chargers are actually thriving. And while Philip Rivers has been sensational with a 114.5 passer rating through four games, San Diego is hardly a one-man show.
The Chargers’ defense, which gets to face Geno Smith and the Jets this Sunday in San Diego, is fifth in the league in points allowed and ninth in yards allowed. They have also forced six turnovers in just four games, including three by Jacksonville last week.
The offense, meanwhile, continues to be almost perfect. San Diego has turned the ball over just once all season, and that was in the opener. If the first four weeks are any indication, the Chargers are a team with staying power.
This week’s rankings:
1. Cardinals, 3-0 (last week: 1): Sunday’s visit to Peyton Manning and the Broncos is their biggest test of the season.
2. Bengals, 3-0 (2): The trip to New England this weekend suddenly looks a lot less imposing after Monday night.
3. Chargers, 3-1 (4): Just two points away from 4-0.
4. Seahawks, 2-1 (5): Getting the Redskins on Monday night is practically another bye week.
5. Broncos, 2-1 (6): All that money spent on the defense hasn’t provided much of a return.
6. Eagles, 3-1 (3): This team isn’t going anywhere unless it can get LeSean McCoy back on track.
7. Ravens, 3-1 (11): It’s not how you would draw it up, but all the controversy seems to have drawn them closer and made them play better.
8. Cowboys, 3-1 (14): It took long enough, but Jason Garrett finally seems to realize good things can happen when you run the ball well.
9. Lions, 3-1 (15): Too bad for Detroit the Lions can’t play the Giants or Jets every week.
10. Texans, 3-1 (16): We’re beginning to suspect J.J. Watt isn’t human.
11. Chiefs, 2-2 (22)
12. 49ers, 2-2 (17)
13. Colts, 2-2 (18)
14. Packers, 2-2 (19)
15. Giants, 2-2 (27): Two lopsided victories in five days is something few could have seen coming.
16. Dolphins, 2-2 (23)
17. Patriots, 2-2 (8): Was Monday night the beginning of the end of the Tom Brady Era in New England?
18. Vikings, 2-2 (25)
19. Panthers, 2-2 (7)
20. Bills, 2-2 (9)
21. Bears, 2-2 (10)
22. Steelers, 2-2 (12)
23. Falcons, 2-2 (13)
24. Browns, 1-2 (20)
25. Rams, 1-2 (29)
26. Buccaneers, 1-3 (31)
27. Jets, 1-3 (21): They’re 11th in the league in total offense and third in total defense, which makes their record inexcusable.
28. Saints, 1-3 (24)
29. Redskins, 1-3 (26)
30. Titans, 1-3 (28)
31. Raiders, 0-4 (30): Dennis Allen isn’t a very good coach, but he also wasn’t the reason Oakland is 0-4.
32. Jaguars, 0-4 (32)