Positively Charged: Why San Diego Chargers Are Still Super Bowl Candidates

The San Diego Chargers have had a disappointing start thus far, losing to Seattle and divisional rivals Oakland and Kansas City.

Feeling familiar? Slight sense of déjà vu? Perfectly understandable.

The Chargers' poor start marks the fourth time they have started 2-3 in as many seasons. Despite the lackluster starts, San Diego has made the playoffs in all three previous seasons.

Will they make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season following a 2-3 start? I think so.

If we're going off previous years, especially last year, then the Chargers have no reason to panic. A Week 6 win against the Kansas City Chiefs last year sparked an 11-game win streak for San Diego, as it bolted into the playoffs with a 13-3 record.

Over the past few years, it's been a combination of sputtering offense and leaky defense which have contributed to the poor starts. Looking at this season, it's hard to believe the Chargers are 2-3.

They boast the league's second-best defense and the league's best offense in terms of yardage. The defense, led by Shaun Phillips, has recorded 18 sacks, and the offense leads the league in total yards, passing yards and are second in scoring thanks to quarterback Philip Rivers.

Looking at these statistics, you may wonder why the Chargers aren't the only unbeaten team in the league. The reason why is the Chargers' Achilles heel: special teams.

The Chargers' three losses can all be blamed on special teams mishaps. Against the Chiefs, the Chargers conceded two long punt returns, one which went 94 yards for a touchdown.

Seahawks' returner Leon Washington's two kickoff return touchdowns killed off the Chargers.

In their most recent loss to the Raiders, two Mike Scifres punts were blocked, resulting in a safety and a touchdown, totalling four special teams touchdowns given up in their three losses.

Aside from the mistakes, the Chargers have all the tools to make a run at the Super Bowl.

Philip Rivers has become the face of the Chargers and has the ability to lead them all the way. Although he's put up league leading numbers so far this season, he'd definitely trade them for a couple of wins. With the return of his left tackle Marcus McNeill, the Chargers can only get better offensively.

Vincent Jackson's absence seems to have motivated the Chargers' passing game and Malcom Floyd, who had 213 yards receiving last year. The league's best passing offense pairs with a solid rushing attack. Rookie Ryan Mathews is showing flashes and will be dangerous when he fully overcomes his ankle injury.

He is joined in the backfield by Mike Tolbert, who has emerged as a powerful runner. Throw in "the lightning bug" Darren Sproles, and the Chargers have a dangerous number of playmakers on offense. If they can overcome problems with ball security (the Chargers lead the league in fumbles lost), then the offense will put up even more points.

Whereas the defense may be considered something of a weak link, it has played very well so far this season. Shaun Phillips is no longer "the other guy" and leads the defense with six sacks. Second in the league in total defense says it all, and if the defense can just maintain this performance, the Chargers will be a force.

Even if the defense can't maintain this performance, if they can just perform adequately, the Chargers can still outscore any opponent.

The weapons on offense are just too much for opponents to defend, and with a quarterback like Philip Rivers—who is one of, if not the league's best right now—the Chargers are always going to compete.

Special teams is the problem at the moment, but I'd much rather have a poor special teams unit than a poor offense or defense. The Chargers can still fix their special teams woes by playing more veterans or starters there or changing the special teams coach. Regardless, if the special teams get better, I have no doubt the Bolts will be still playing come January.

The Chargers are tied for second place in the AFC West. Although they've been beaten by Oakland and Kansas City, they are still the best team in the division. The Chargers won the division with an 8-8 record back in 2008, and although the division has become more competitive, I still expect them to win the West.

Rivers and Co. head to St Louis for a matchup with the Rams on Sunday, and a win will take them back to .500.

Could a win be the start of an 11-game win streak? We'll see.