We asked our panel of experts and insiders to select their choices for various awards for the 2017 season. We will reveal their answers over the coming days.
Next up, a look at what is the 2017 Chargers Best Win of the Year:
Ricky Henne – Chargers 30, Raiders 10 - Week 17
The Bolts may not have made the playoffs, but they ended the season on a high note with a 30-10 rout of the Oakland Raiders. What impressed me the most was this was a game the Chargers had to have. With the postseason on the line, they not only won – they dominated. It also sealed a winning season, which is a big deal in the National Football League. Not only that, their ninth one of the season matched their total victory amount from the two previous seasons combined. The team also won in a manner indicative of their play over the final three quarters of the season, with Philip Rivers, Keenan Allen and Melvin Gordon in fine form while Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and company wreaked havoc on defense.
Hayley Elwood – Chargers 17, Raiders 16 – Week 6
This may not have been the sexiest game of the season, but it was a gritty win that flipped the script for the Chargers. Prior to Week 6, every game they played in had been decided in the final minutes of action, and the story was how the team failed to come through when everything was on the line. But after notching their first win of the season the week before, the Bolts went into the Black Hole determined to get another victory. They reset the narrative. Down 16-14 after the defense forced the Raiders to punt after a quick three-and-out, the offense got the ball back with just over four minutes to play. Philip Rivers and company went 78 yards in 10 plays on that final drive to set up a game-winning 32-yard field goal from Nick Novak. All three phases clicked in the 17-16 win which gave the team confidence, and most importantly, proved they were capable of finishing games.
Matt "Money" Smith – Chargers 28, Cowboys 6 – Week 12
Biggest stage of the season, on the road, lost their kicker in the first series -- and everyone stepped up. Tyrell Williams' long TD grab, Desmond King with the 90-yard pick-six, Philip Rivers and his nearly 500 passing yards, Keenan Allen cutting the Dallas defense to ribbons, and Drew Kaser handling kickoffs. It was from top to bottom the most impressive outing, and one that kept their playoff hopes alive.
Nick Hardwick – Chargers 28, Cowboys 6 – Week 12
On Thanksgiving Day, the Chargers really showcased who they can be on a national stage. They won in a dominating fashion.
Chris Hayre – Chargers 28, Cowboys 6 – Week 12
The entire nation was introduced to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thanksgiving Day. Philip Rivers had one of the signature performances of his career, while the defense held the Dallas Cowboys to 247 yards of total offense. All of this without a kicker for a majority of the game! From Keenan Allen's 42-yard touchdown to Desmond King's pick-six, it was a game that supplied no shortage of memories for Chargers fans.
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