The San Diego Chargers are one of the most talented teams in the NFL that has yet to win a Super Bowl. They have all the right pieces in place, but they still have to get over the hump.
The Chargers have perhaps the easiest division to win, the AFC West: With the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos, there are no serious threats to contend for the division title. Anything less than a Super Bowl appearance will be a disappointment for the franchise.
They have everything a team needs to be a contender, quarterback Philip Rivers is among the best in the league, an explosive running game with Darren Sproles, Michael Bennett and LaDaninian Tomlinson, wide receivers Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson and a star defense with Shawne Merriman, Quentin Jammer, Antonio Cromarti and Stephen Cooper.
However, the defense has yet to live up to its potential.
Whatever the reasons the Chargers haven’t won the Super Bowl, it could be the classic underachievers. But ’09 should be a breakout year for head coach Norv Turner.
Turner’s career record is under .500 and if he can’t lead the Chargers to a good playoff run with the talent the Chargers have, he could be looking for late-season ads.
The AFC is extremely difficult to win this year: the Baltimore Ravens have an offense for the first time, the Indianapolis Colts have Peyton Manning and are always a threat, the New York Jets improve with a top-tier defense, the New England Patriots have a healthy Tom Brady again, and the Pittsburgh Steelers should be a contender.
The Chargers have a good balance, both running and shooting, which gives them a chance to win every game. The Chargers must play up to their potential if they ever hope to play in February.
