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2009 San Diego Chargers NFL Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on August 26, 2009

chargers 82609 The Chargers have brought home three straight AFC West titles, but this team won’t be satisfied with a fourth straight if it doesn’t also include a Super Bowl championship ring. The Bolts managed to win the West despite the absence of Shawne Merriman and with a banged up LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates last year. With all three of these key players expected to enter the 2009 season at full strength, the Chargers figure to be right in the mix for an AFC championship. NFL odds makers have listed the San Diego Chargers at +1000 to win Super Bowl XLIV.

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Offense – When I think about the Chargers’ offense, the word “stacked” comes to mind. It all starts with quarterback Philip Rivers, who set a franchise-mark with 34 touchdown strikes and led the NFL with a 105.5 passer rating last season. He has the luxury of handing the ball off to L.T. and Darren Sproles. Tomlinson managed to rush for 1,110 yards last season despite a nagging toe injury. At 5-6, 181 pounds, Sproles is as elusive a player as there is in the NFL. With Vincent Jackson joining the 1,000-yard club last season, the Bolts have a high-powered receiving unit with Jackson joining Chris Chambers and Antonio Gates. The five-time Pro Bowler Gates is now 100 percent and that means trouble for opposing defenses.

If anything were to hold this offense back, it would be the offensive line. The left side is solid with Pro Bowl guard Kris Dielman and tackle Marcus McNeill and center Nick Hardwick returns healthy. But on the right side there is a question as to whether Kynan Forney can replace Mike Goff and if tackle Jeromey Clary can take a big step forward after a so-so season.

Defense – The Chargers are one of the strongest teams in the NFL in the front seven now that Shawne Merriman is back. He joins Shaun Phillips to create one of the scariest pass rushing outside linebacker duos in the NFL. The front line is led by tackle Jamal Williams. He’s been around over a decade, but he still commands double teams. The organization is expecting a bounce back year from end Luis Castillo after giving him a big contract following the 2007 season. With Merriman back causing havoc, the entire defense will benefit.

The secondary has to be better if San Diego hopes to make a Super Bowl run. While the unit was hindered by a weakened pass rush because of Merriman’s injury, that does not excuse it from being mostly responsible for the team’s 31st ranking against the pass. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie went from 10 picks in 2007 to only two last season. He has said that he was slowed by a banged up hip so it will be interesting to see which player the Bolts will get in 2009. Conerback Quentin Jammer is rock solid, always providing strong run support and rarely getting beat over the top. Clinton Hart and Eric Weddle are not elite, but two pretty good safeties. Antoine Cason provides excellent depth at the cornerback position.

Prediction: 1st AFC West – I have the San Diego Chargers pegged to win the division in my AFC West predictions. On top of that, they are my pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. With their nucleus of stars now healthy, the Chargers should enter the 2009 season hungry for a championship. The San Diego Chargers are listed at -350 to win the AFC West at BetUS.

Check out more predictions in the 2009 Chargers preview offered by Vernon Croy.

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