football junkie
01-03-2010, 06:34 PM
The San Diego Chargers are again amongst the elite of the NFL. Today the franchise finished its 2009 season 13-3, best regular season record since '06. But a lot has changed since then.
Vincent Jackson has turned into a legitimate force at wide out. Malcolm Floyd shows near infinite promise. Antonio Gates continues to dominate as the games' best tight end. Special teams are extraordinary. The running game isn't what it was in the past but since the AFC playoffs go through either warm weather locales, a dome in Indy or through San Diego and the Superbowl is being played in Miami -- a team reliant on the passing game can win it all.
What it all comes down to is Pro Bowl QB Philip Rivers, coming off his best season with well over 4,000 passing yards, a QB Rating exceeding 100 percent and 28 touchdown passes compared to 9 interceptions. Rivers has turned into the team leader. The success or failure of the Chargers in the playoffs depends on his performance and demeanor.
It's hard not to predict a Colts vs. Bolts AFC Championship Game in three weeks. I think this can be the year the Bolts/Chargers win the Superbowl. And I hope the team does, so there is no more insipid talk of moving the franchise to Los Angeles!
Vincent Jackson has turned into a legitimate force at wide out. Malcolm Floyd shows near infinite promise. Antonio Gates continues to dominate as the games' best tight end. Special teams are extraordinary. The running game isn't what it was in the past but since the AFC playoffs go through either warm weather locales, a dome in Indy or through San Diego and the Superbowl is being played in Miami -- a team reliant on the passing game can win it all.
What it all comes down to is Pro Bowl QB Philip Rivers, coming off his best season with well over 4,000 passing yards, a QB Rating exceeding 100 percent and 28 touchdown passes compared to 9 interceptions. Rivers has turned into the team leader. The success or failure of the Chargers in the playoffs depends on his performance and demeanor.
It's hard not to predict a Colts vs. Bolts AFC Championship Game in three weeks. I think this can be the year the Bolts/Chargers win the Superbowl. And I hope the team does, so there is no more insipid talk of moving the franchise to Los Angeles!