2009 San Diego Chargers Team Preview/Predictions
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2008 Record: 8-8
ATS: 7-8-1
The San Diego Chargers head into the 2009 season much healthier than they were a year ago. There are no concerns about quarterback Philip Rivers knee injury, LaDainian Tomlinson wasn’t coming off of offseason surgery, left tackle Marcus McNeil had a sore neck, center Nick Hardwick had a bad foot and tight end Antonio Gates a toe injury. And that doesn’t even include the early season-ending injury to linebacker Shawne Merriman.
The injuries didn’t end there as cornerback Antonio Cromartie said he played with a fracture in his hip last year, tackle Jamal Williams had knee issues and safety Clinton Hart had a broken hand and neck injury.
Playing, instead of rehabbing (in the offseason) makes a big difference and that should make the Chargers much sharper bunch earlier in the season.
With so many fallen soldiers last year, the one shining light was Rivers, who emerged as one of the best in the NFL. He showed that he is not only capable of carrying this team when necessary, but he also proved to be the established leader of the franchise.
The Chargers are loaded on offense. With Tomlinson and Darren Sproles, the Chargers have an excellent 1-2 punch in the backfield. As Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers grow as wideouts and Gates gets healthy, this could become the most complete, most explosive unit in the league.
On defense, the Chargers success is contingent on pressuring the quarterback. Without Merriman last year, the defense flopped and was exposed. With a healthy Merriman and the addition of first-round pick Larry English, the Chargers are going to get back to being a mean, feisty squad.
Overall, the Chargers have all the constituents of a Super Bowl competitor but a lot of people are still skeptical of head coach Norv Turner. But it’s hard to dig into him anymore considering the Chargers have been neck-in-neck with the Colts, Patriots and Steelers – even in the playoffs – over the last three years.
For a good value play at just over 10-to-1, take the Chargers to win the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl Odds: +1015
Conference Odds: +705
AFC West Odds: +340
2009 Chargers Predictions
Place they’ll finish in AFC West: 1st
Place they’ll finish in AFC Conference: 4th
Over/Under Season Wins Prediction: Over 9.5
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Dave Golokhov has written for BETUS Sportsbook, Sportsfanmagazine.com, FOX, Askmen.com, Sports-central.org, and the FOXSports.com Funhouse.
4 replies on “2009 San Diego Chargers Odds | Preview | Picks”
The Chargers will once again be loaded with talent both offensively and defensively. QB Philip Rivers is coming off his best season as a pro and has proven to be of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He led the league in passer rating and finished the 2008 season with 11 TDs and only 1 INT, lifting the Bolts to a division title. Rivers is poised to have another big year and with running backs Ladanian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles the Chargers should chock up the points. The defense is solid with the return of Shawn Merriman at OLB. San Diego will finish the season with a 13-3 record.
The Chargers are my preseason pick to not only win the AFC West, where they are clearly the best team, but to win the entire AFC. With their schedule they should be able to get home field advantage through out, forcing teams like New England or Pittsburgh to have to beat them at home.
No suprise that the Chargers WILL win the AFC West. Not only do they have a healthy, extremely well balanced team, but they also lack any sort of challenge in their division. Super Bowl contenders? My gut tells me No. Norv Turner will find a way to screw it up. Could go either way for the Chargers for sure. If they can live up to their potential, they could be playing well into 2010.
LT isn’t done and Merriman is back. They are a lock to win the AFC West and finish with a bye if they split with NFC East. The defense will hold opponents down and the offense is explosive enough despite the naysayers on LT, WR’s and Gates. If they have no significant injuries come mid-December they should be even money in the AFC title game.