Chargers 2021 Season Preview
Looking for 2021 Los Angeles Chargers Predictions? I am still having trouble wrapping my head around this whole L.A. Chargers thing. Maybe by the time that Justin Herbert is in the Hall of Fame, I will be used to it. Herbert had a wonderful rookie season and gives the team a lot of hope for the future. Adding to that is new coach Brandon Staley but we may need to pump the breaks on all that optimism. They still have a major obstacle in the division and until they can conquer that their ceiling is probably limited
NFL Chargers Predictions & Handicapping Insight
2021/22 NFL Team Predictions – Los Angeles Chargers
- Chargers 2021 Win Total NFL Odds: 9.5 (Over +100/Under -120)
- Los Angeles Chargers AFC West Odds: +450
- Los Angeles Chargers AFC Championship Odds: +1600
- Los Angeles Chargers 2022 Super Bowl Odds: +3000
Key Additions:
- TE Jared Cook
- OL Matt Feller
- C Corey Linsley
- CB Asante Samuel Jr.
- OT Rashawn Slater
Even though they have the QB of the future the offense was still the focus. Slater was a first-round pick who is projected to protect Herbert’s blindside and Linsley is a pro they picked up from Green Bay, so he knows winning football.
Cook is a veteran TE expected to replace Hunter Henry, who was second on the team in catches a year ago.
Seeing Samuel get drafted makes you feel a little old but he is expected to start right away in San Diego’s 4-2-5 defense.
Key Losses:
- TE Hunter Henry
- DE Melvin Ingram
- S Rayshawn Jenkins
Henry never quite got to the level they were hoping for but he was a productive TE for the Chargers.
Ingram had been an effective pass rusher for them in the past but he was a non-factor last season and definitely appears to be on the downside of his career.
2021 Los Angeles Chargers Predictions: Offseason Analysis
It is amazing how you can focus on other areas when you get the quarterback position right. This offseason was all about giving Herbert what he needs to succeed.
I know the running back position has been emphasized over the years but I would have liked to have seen the Chargers upgrade there. Austin Ekeler is a useful player but more of a pass-catcher than a feature back.
They did a good job in the draft, especially getting Samuel in the second round. He was a first-round talent on a lot of boards. Also, I am curious about Chris Rumph II a DE out of Duke. He was super productive on a defense where he had all the attention. He could be an interesting pass rush talent.
L.A.is hoping that they got it right with the hire of Brandon Staley. He is young and has never been a head coach in the NFL. Last year was his only season as a coordinator in the league. It is a big jump and this team is not rebuilding so expectations are high.
Staley was the defensive coordinator with the Rams last season. He is not the coordinator for the Chargers but he might be able to help that side of the ball do better than 26ppg allowed, which was 23rd. He is not working with a DPOY in Aaron Donald but Joey Bosa is an offense wrecker when he is healthy.
Anthony Lynn was not very popular with Chargers fans and for good reason. At the same time, I am a little nervous about bringing in a new voice and what it means for Herbert and the team’s progress. .
2021 Los Angeles Chargers Win Total Prediction:
L.A. won their final four games of the season a year ago, 3 by three points, and then a game against Kansas City that was a throwaway for the Chiefs. The optimism is justified but changing coaches might not have done them any favors.
They do not have an easy start to the season with a trip to Washington in Week 1 and a visit to Kansas City in Week 3. In between is Dallas a team that is good enough offensively to beat the Chargers. An 0-3 start is going to bring a fair amount of heat.
2 of the next 3 games are at home but after hosting Vegas on a Monday night they host Cleveland and then visit Baltimore. That could easily be another 1-2 stretch.
After the bye week, things get a little easier, if this team is still in the right spot emotionally. Games against New England, Philadelphia, and Minnesota could get them on a run and they have dates with Cincinnati, the Giants, and Houston, all of which should be wins.
They have the extra game to work with but to get the over with the Chargers they need to win double-digit games, something they have only done once since 2009.
I think they can get one more win than they did a year ago. Getting three is asking a little too much of a rookie coach with a second-year quarterback.
CappersPicks.com has NFL Futures Odds up on a ton of 2021 Super Bowl futures, and you will also find DAILY NFL Football lines up as well.
Register here for a FREE NFL Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!