2007 Rankings
Rushing: 7th (127.4)
Passing: 26th (187.8)
Total Offense: 20th (315.3)
Run Defense: 16th (107.0)
Pass Defense: 14th (213.3)
Total Defense: 14th (320.3)
What was the Chargers’ best/worst move during the offseason?
The San Diego Chargers weren’t very active at all during the free agent signing period, but they already have a solid core of talent which is among the best in the league. The best move they made was keeping that core together, which combined with a second year under Head Coach Norv Turner offers a lot of continuity heading into the 2008 season, which is something that is often overlooked when evaluating teams during the preseason.
What needs to go right for the Chargers to succeed this season?
The Chargers have the potential to have the best defensive unit in the league, but they need nose tackle Jamal Williams to stay healthy. He does such a good job of clogging the middle of the line and tying up blockers, which helps allow the team’s talented linebacking crew to freely attack. Without him, their run defense takes a step backward and the linebackers can’t play downhill as much as they would like to.
They also need quarterback Philip Rivers to show no ill effects from the surgery he underwent during the offseason to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. Rivers emerged as a true leader for the team during the postseason, answering the bell in a losing cause in the AFC Championship game despite having suffered the knee injury in a victory the week before against the Indianapolis Colts. He’s proven to his teammates he is willing to put it all on the line week in and week out. He just needs that surgically-repaired knee to cooperate, and all indications are that he is on his way to a full recovery.
Where will the Chargers finish the 2008 NFL season?
There is little doubt the Chargers, on paper, are the class on the AFC West and should run away with the division again this year. As with any team, injuries are key. But if this team stays healthy, I can’t see any of the other three teams in the division challenging them. They are just too loaded with talent.
Prediction: 13-3 and first in the AFC West.
