2011 San Diego Chargers Team Preview | NFL Predictions
The San Diego Chargers, who finished the 2010 season at 9-7, were one of many teams that had to wonder exactly what had happened by the time their 16-game slate came to an end.
2011 San Diego Chargers Team Preview/Predictions
2010 Record: 9-7
ATS Record: 8-7-1
The Chargers saw their four-year reign as AFC West champions end in heartbreaking fashion.
San Diego quarterback Phillip Rivers slogged through a disappointing year. Former Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews provided something of a bright spot – he was the first Charger other than LaDainian Tomlinson with 100 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in a single game since Natrone Means in 1994, and he did that in his rookie campaign.
However, that bit of brilliance from a first-year player did little to change the larger dynamics of an underachieving team.
The 2010 Chargers were a very interesting case study. They ranked first in total offense and they ranked first in total defense, but they still couldn’t make the playoffs. The reason for this was their horrific special teams. The special teams fiasco of 2010 was inexplicable.
It cannot be stated enough: The Bolts weren’t just above-average according to basic statistical metrics. They ranked first in the NFL in offense and defense but somehow found a way to avoid the postseason. The kicking game and ill-timed turnovers did them in. This just shows how important special teams are in the sport; it’s hard to imagine how things could get any worse in 2011.
The organization replaced respected special teams coach Steve Crosby, as it had to, but this burden ultimately falls on the players who could not execute at a remotely competent level on punts and kickoffs.
If the special teams units respond positively, the Chargers will more than likely return to the playoffs as champions of the AFC West.
San Diego traded up to the top half of the 2010 draft to secure Mathews, who had an injury-plagued rookie season despite his flashes of excellence. Luckily for San Diego, Mike Tolbert stepped in and it seemed as though Matthews wasn’t missed. Still, for all he invested in Mathews, and it was a lot, San Diego General Manager A.J. Smith would like to see a bigger return on his investment.
Even though the Chargers had the top ranked total defense last season, head coach Norv Turner didn’t hide that fact that he wanted to see more production out of his front four.
Accordingly, San Diego selected Illinois defensive end Corey Liuget to replace Jacques Cesaire on the defensive front. Luckily for San Diego, safety Eric Weddle decided to ink a five year contract with the team, anchoring the back line of defense.
However, the Bolts’ gains in terms of players will be minimized by the absence of their best and most consistent coach, defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who took the Carolina Panthers’ head coaching vacancy. It will be interesting to see if this defense can maintain its level of play through the change. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
It seems like every year the Chargers are a lock for the postseason in a relatively weak division. That lock was broken last season by the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the final analysis, the Bolts need to find a way to avoid the lackluster starts and inexplicable losses that haunt this team every year. If they can do that, this team can be very dangerous… but haven’t you heard that song before when it comes to the San Diego Chargers franchise?
This team must take ownership of all its talent and play up to its enormous potential for once.
2011 Chargers Futures
Super Bowl Odds: +1100
Conference Odds: +625
AFC West Odds: -205
2011-2012 NFL Regular Season Wins: Over 9.5
2011 Chargers Predictions:
Place they’ll finish in AFC West: 1st
Place they’ll finish in AFC Conference: 4th
Over/Under Wins Prediction: OVER
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