Early AFC West Preview: San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers enter the 2009 NFL season playing in arguably the worst division in the NFL. The four teams combined for 23 victories (only the NFC west was more inept with 22 wins). Due to the division's collective weakness, the Chargers should coast to their fourth title in five years during A.J. Smith's tenure.

Why?

They have the division's most balanced offense and a playoff tested quarterback in Phillip Rivers, passing for over 4,000 yards and setting a Chargers record in quarterback rating and touchdown passes. In addition, they possess stellar athletes on the defensive side of the football, such as Antonio Cromartie, Shawn Phillips, and Luis Castillo, which failed to live up to their potential in Shawne Merriman's absence due to injury. Moreover, Ron Rivera will have the off-season to impact the 3-4 scheme the Chargers employ to  improve on its 25th overall ranking. Most importantly, Oakland, Denver, and Kansas City have had head coaching changes and roster turnovers which will severely limit their ability to remove San Diego from its top perch.

With one the best rosters in the NFL, the Chargers also possess many question marks leading into 2009 such as: can LaDainian Tomlinson (LT) stay healthy for an entire season including the playoffs? Can San Diego win early and often? They have started the prior two seasons 1-3 and 2-2 respectively. Will the defense improve in critically important categories such as sacks, 3rd down efficiency, and turnovers? And finally, will the offensive line play improve and block consistently?  LT averaged 3.8 yards a carry and rushed for the lowest total of his 8-year career with 1,110 yards.  

If the answers to the questions above are yes, the Chargers should win no less than 12 games and allow Norv Turner to guide his team deep into the playoffs.