2009 San Diego Chargers Predictions and Super Bowl Odds

The San Diego Chargers are heavily favored to win the AFC West and they are one of the main contenders in 2009 Super Bowl odds at 12-1. The Chargers have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball but somehow they stumbled to a 4-8 start and had to win their final four games just to win a weak AFC West and make the playoffs where they upset Indianapolis before falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The San Diego offense is led by quarterback Philip Rivers who threw for 4,004 yards and 34 touchdowns last season.

Rivers has a lot of talent surrounding him including running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles in addition to tight end Antonio Gates. Overall the Chargers had the second best offense in the NFL last season in terms of points scored. The Chargers are a bit suspect at wide receiver though as only Vincent Jackson looks to be someone opposing defenses would worry about. The Chargers may actually score fewer points in 2009 but all reports out of San Diego have L.T. healthy and determined so San Diego may be more balanced and more of a threat in Super Bowl odds. The defense for San Diego was weak last season due in large part to the team missing Shawne Merriman. He is back from injury and should immediately make a big difference.

The big problem for San Diego last year was against the pass as they ranked 31st in the league. San Diego drafted outside linebacker Larry English out of Northern Illinois and he should combine with Merriman to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. There is definitely a huge correlation between the pass rush and the play of a team’s secondary, so look for San Diego to be seriously improved against the pass in 2009. The AFC West is weak and San Diego towers over the rest of the teams in the division. Denver is a huge question mark without Jay Cutler and with a new head coach while Kansas City is rebuilding and Oakland is terrible. Head coach Norv Turner could be on the hot seat if the Chargers don’t make a serious playoff run in 2009 Super Bowl odds. In the AFC West the Chargers should really run away and hide but as last year showed, anything is possible.