San Diego Chargers: State of the Franchise—2009

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Chances of Winning This Year

The Chargers’ shot at making another trip to the playoffs this year is strengthened by the fact that they’re in such a historically weak division.

They also gave another perfect showing in December of 2008, despite starting off their season at a miserable 4-8. If they can ride that momentum into 2009, they could be a force to contend with all season long.

The problem, however, will be riding that momentum; despite a perfect showing in December of the 2007 season, the Chargers fell flat for the first few weeks of 2008, losing a few last-minute shockers.

Could it be that Norv Turner really doesn’t practice the two-minute drill, as claimed by the site that wants him fired? If this is the case, it showed in their games, and this is an area that will sorely need improvement going into the 2009 season.

Especially come playoff time.

Let’s face it; the Chargers have been the bugaboo for the Colts in the playoffs for the past few seasons, but they won’t get to advance at their expense every year, and they have fallen flat in post-season match-ups with other AFC elites like the Steelers and Patriots.

The offense is coming into its own, as evidenced by Phillip Rivers’ spectacular performance all season long last year.

However, as exposed against the Steelers in the Divisional Round of last year’s playoffs, Darren Sproles can’t carry the team on his legs alone, and both he and Rivers will need LaDainian Tomlinson to stay injury-free to keep a multi-dimensional attack in tact.

More or less, the Chargers need to gain momentum and keep it sustained for the duration of the season in order to prevent themselves from falling flat in the fall for a third straight season.

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