Power Rankings: Defense has Chargers on downward trend

Updated Oct. 7

Let's play a game, something similar to what you used to play in those Highlights magazines at the doctor's office when you were a kid, and you searched for hidden things in a puzzle.

Only we'll call this one Find the Hidden Team in our CBSSports.com Power Rankings. That team is the San Diego Chargers.

Normally, you'd start at the top. We expect that when you're talking about a preseason Super Bowl favorite.

Don't look there. You won't find them.

How about the middle? Nope. The bottom? Can it be?

They're not quite to the bottom, but the Chargers are ranked 23rd here right now. That's what a 2-3 start will do.

So what's wrong? Well, what isn't?

Nagging injuries to running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates are hurting the offense, even though Philip Rivers' great play has San Diego third in the league in scoring at 29.6 points a game.

It's the defense, though, that is killing the Chargers.

After five games, the Chargers are ranked 27th in scoring defense, giving up 25.8 points per game. The Chargers have given up 129 points in five games. They gave up 284 points in 16 games in 2007 for a 17.8 average.

It is a defense that is playing without Shawne Merriman, the team's best pass rusher the past three seasons, but the descent shouldn't be this sudden without him.

Poll Can the Chargers turn it around? Yes: They are too good not to No: The problems will continue

Defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell has to get things turned around quickly. The Chargers play the New England Patriots on Sunday night in a must-have game, then travel to Buffalo before playing the New Orleans Saints in London the week after that. Both the Bills and the Saints average more than 25 points per game.

If the Chargers lose two of the next three games, they will be in big trouble heading into the second half.

If that happens, at least it won't be hard to find them here. They'll be down there with the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams, the bottom feeders of the league.

The Power Rankings after Week 5:

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Giants · Trends	1
	Is there any doubt who the top team is right now? Eli Manning gets better and better as the weeks move along. Tom Coughlin has his team focused for another title run.
	2	Titans · Trends	2
	The defense bailed them out again. But when you can go on the road and win without much offense, that's accomplishing something. Can they go a whole season without giving up 20 points in a game?
	3	Redskins · Trends	4
	What a turnaround they've made since the opener. They can run it and throw it. The schedule gets soft the next few weeks, too.
	4	Cowboys · Trends	5
	Their inability to put teams away has to be troubling. When you're up 17-0 against the Bengals, the game has to be over. It wasn't. Now the Cowboys face a tough road test at Arizona.
	5	Steelers · Trends	6
	They limp to their much-needed bye coming off a big victory at Jacksonville. They face some tough tests coming up, so they need to get guys back quickly.
	6	Panthers · Trends	7
	Going back to the more physical ways seems to be working out just fine. They can run it and play good defense. Just the way John Fox likes it.
	7	Broncos · Trends	9
	So the defense actually shows up for a change. Let's see it happen against somebody other than the Bucs.
	8	Bills · Trends	3
	I'll give them a mulligan for playing back-to-back road games out of the division and losing their quarterback in the first quarter in the loss to the Cardinals. But that defense didn't look like it has all season.
	9	Patriots · Trends	10
	Staying on the West Coast for a week will be easy after beating the 49ers. Now they get the Chargers. Bet they can't wait.
	10	Buccaneers · Trends	8
	At some point we have to start questioning the validity of Jon Gruden as offensive wizard. They can't throw the ball down the field. Or they won't.
	11	Ravens · Trends	12
	After a tough, physical game against the Titans, now they have to go to Indianapolis to face Peyton Manning and that passing game. The Ravens won't win that game with 10 points, that's for sure.
	12	Bears · Trends	13
	Has Kyle Orton arrived? If he has, then the Bears can win the division. We know they can run it.
	13	Colts · Trends	18
	I hope they all went out and bought lottery tickets after Sunday's game. They stole one. But now that could get them going.
	14	Jets · Trends	19
	Brett Favre's hot start was cooled by a bye week. Then again, at his age he probably needed it.
	15	Cardinals · Trends	20
	The first-place Cardinals. Will Arizona fans ever get used to seeing that? With the Cowboys coming to town, they get a chance to show they mean it.
	16	Falcons · Trends	23
	Who thought they would be 3-2 after five games? They've been competitive the entire season. Matt Ryan is growing up each week.
	17	Vikings · Trends	24
	That move to Gus Frerotte just might get them to the playoffs. That was a huge road victory Monday night at New Orleans.
	18	Packers · Trends	11
	They've had a lot of injuries on defense and it's showing up in a big way. You can't blame the three consecutive losses on Aaron Rodgers.
	19	Eagles · Trends	14
	At 2-3, they're lagging at the bottom of the NFC East. They better get it going or they can fall into a deep hole in this talented division.
	20	Jaguars · Trends	15
	The defense can't get off the field. They are tied with Kansas City for the worst third-down defense. That won't win a lot of games.
	21	Dolphins · Trends	25
	Tony Sparano deserves a ton of credit for getting this team to 2-2. Miami defeated two good teams, which is a shock in a lot of ways.
	22	Saints · Trends	17
	This is a better team than where it's slotted right now. As the Saints get their players back healthy, it will show.
	23	Chargers · Trends	16
	They're just off this season. Something isn't right. Losing at Miami is a stinger for this so-called Super Bowl team.
	24	Seahawks · Trends	21
	All those who had this team pegged as a Super Bowl contender step forward. Yeah, there were a lot of you.
	25	49ers · Trends	22
	The most concerning thing has to be their defense. With Mike Nolan and Mike Singletary, you'd think that side of the ball would be playing better.
	26	Browns · Trends	26
	They should hope the week off allowed Derek Anderson to regain that 2007 form. If not, the struggles will continue.
	27	Texans · Trends	27
	The way they lost to the Colts could doom them the rest of the way. They're 0-4, but they could easily be 2-2. They're better. Really.
	28	Raiders · Trends	28
	Tom Cable to the rescue. Good luck. I wonder how Rob Ryan will handle the defense now under the new coach.
	29	Chiefs · Trends	29
	They just don't have anything from the quarterback position. Matthew Stafford has to be their long-term hope. Right? Do they need their bye this week or what?
	30	Bengals · Trends	30
	Can you believe this team is winless? Marvin Lewis could be the next coach in trouble. At least he should be.
	31	Lions · Trends	31
	So much for the Matt Millen dismissal lighting a spark. They're as bad as ever. Jon Kitna needs to be replaced. It's Drew Stanton time. Get on with the future.
	32	Rams · Trends	32
	Jim Haslett's fiery ways will help this team. So will getting Marc Bulger back in as quarterback. But they're still a long way away from being good.