San Diego Chargers: Why the Chargers Should Be Ranked Best in the AFC West

The San Diego Chargers had one of their trademark slow starts to the 2010 season.

The bad thing was that this slow start lasted half the season and cost the Chargers a playoff spot.

The Kansas City Chiefs came from nowhere to win the AFC West behind a strong running back tandem of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones.

So now, the question becomes: can the Chargers bounce back in 2011 and win the AFC West?

ESPN's Power Rankings have the Chargers ranked 10th in the NFL, with the Chiefs at No. 14, the Oakland Raiders at No. 23 and the Denver Broncos at No. 27.

The Chargers definitely have an advantage in that they drastically underperformed in 2010.

There's no way they'll make as many dumb mistakes this year, and they'll knock the Chiefs off their pedestal atop the AFC West.

Defense

The Chargers defense was the top-rated unit in the NFL in 2010.

They allowed only 271 yards per game to their opponents last season, yet they finished with a 9-7 record, one game behind the division champion Chiefs.

The Chargers defense was particularly stout in the passing game, allowing only 178 yards per game through the air.

With all the key players returning on defense, there's no reason to think the Chargers won't be just as dominant on defense in 2011.

Offense

Not only did the Chargers have the top-rated defense in 2010, their offense was also No. 1.

They averaged a whopping 396 yards per game, most of it coming through the air.

Despite a rash of injuries to the receiving corps, Philip Rivers had an amazing season, throwing for over 4,700 yards and 30 touchdowns.

That's becoming the norm for Rivers, who continues to blossom into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

With Vincent Jackson returning for the entire 2011 season, Rivers should have one of his favorite targets back in the lineup.

That means big numbers yet again for Rivers and the Chargers offense.

Prediction

Based on the Chargers schedule, I see them ending up with a record of 11-5.

That should be enough to beat the Chiefs and get back to the playoffs.

Then, it'll be up to head coach Norv Turner not to have another playoff meltdown.