NFL 2010 Season Predictions: AFC West San Diego Chargers

Today we have the final team in the AFC West and the final AFC team before we start the NFC tomorrow, the San Diego Chargers.

San Diego Chargers

Last Season: 13-3, AFC West Division Champs (Lost to NY Jets in Divisional Game)

2010 NFL Draft: RB Ryan Mathews (Fresno St., Rd. 1/Pick 12), LB Donald Butler (Washington, Rd. 3/Pick 15), S Darrell Stuckey (Kansas, Rd. 4/Pick 12), DT Cam Thomas (North Carolina, Rd. 5/Pick 15), QB Jonathan Crompton (Tennessee, Rd. 5/Pick 37), TE Dedrick Epps (Miami (FL), Rd. 7/Pick 28)

Key Additions: TE Randy McMichael (from Rams), WR Josh Reed (from Bills), CB Donald Strickland (from NY Jets), OT Tra Thomas (from Jaguars), CB Nathan Vasher (from Chicago)

Key Losses: CB Antonio Cromartie (to NY Jets), LB Tim Dobbins (to Dolphins), TE Brandon Manumaleuna (to Bears), WR Kassim Osgood (to Jaguars), RB LaDainian Tomlinson (to NY Jets), QB Charlie Whitehurst (to Seahawks), DT Jamal Williams (to Broncos)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ Chiefs

Week 2: Jaguars

Week 3: @ Seahawks

Week 4: Cardinals

Week 5: @ Raiders

Week 6: @ Rams

Week 7: Patriots

Week 8: Titans

Week 9: @ Texans

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: Broncos

Week 12: @ Colts

Week 13: Raiders

Week 14: Chiefs

Week 15: 49ers

Week 16: @ Bengals

Week 17: @ Broncos

Analysis: The Chargers ended last year on an eleven game winning streak before flaming out to the New York Jets in the Divisional Round. In the offseason, they lost one of their best defensive players and the aging face of their franchise to the same team in Cromartie and Tomlinson. The Chargers still have Philip Rivers as the leader, and he is a very good, yet very cocky, quarterback. Malcolm Floyd, Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates provide him with a very good receiving squad. Matthews, with the addition of Sproles, should easily make up for the lack of LT on the team. Quentin Jammer will take over as leader of the secondary, but the additions of Strickland and Vasher don’t make up for the loss of Cromartie. Shawne Merriman is always having issues with the team, but hopefully he settles down and keeps playing solid ball. Butler adds depth to the position. The defensive line could use some work, but the high scoring offensive should lead this team to a division championship.

2010 Season Predictions: 12-4, AFC West Division Champs