NFL Betting Online: The addition of Melvin Gordon as the team's new offensive focal point will make everyone on the Chargers better.
2014 Season Record: 9-7 SU, 7-9 ATS, 7-9 O/U
2015 Regular Season Wins Total: 8.5, +110 O, -130 U
Odds to Win Super Bowl: +4500
Odds to Win AFC: +1575
Odds to Win Division: +344
While the issue of a possible move to Los Angeles plays out between team ownership and the city, general manager Tom Telesco and coach Mike McCoy are focusing on how to improve on last year’s mostly unsatisfying performance. The Chargers finished third in the AFC West for the second straight year and missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.
After weeks of speculation leading up to the draft, veteran quarterback Philip Rivers wasn't traded and remains a part of the Chargers organization. It was the right move.
The Chargers worked on two areas that hurt them in 2014 – a shaky offensive line and an unproductive running game. Left tackle King Dunlap was re-signed and free agent guard Orlando Franklin was brought in.
The club also spent heavily to move up just two spots in the first round to take Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon. He replaces Ryan Mathews, whose five years in San Diego included too many injuries and fumbles. Gordon is expected to help take the pressure off Rivers, who had a second strong season since McCoy arrived as coach.
The Chargers need more production out of their defensive line, pass rush and, specifically, inside linebacker Donald Butler. The Chargers had only 26 sacks last year, one of the weakest efforts in the NFL.
At the very least, the two guys who led the team are back, defensive end Corey Liuget and outside linebacker Melvin Ingram. Still, the Chargers have to come up with more pressure against opposing quarterbacks.
They also need to get Butler back to his hard-hitting ways after he practically disappeared once he signed a long-term contract.
Rivers and the Chargers know exactly where they have to improve – in games against AFC West foes. The Chargers were swept by both Denver and Kansas City last year, beating only the lowly Raiders in the division.
A lackluster effort at Kansas City in the finale, against backup quarterback Chase Daniel, cost them a playoff spot and had people wondering about their focus and motivation. A return to the playoffs isn’t out of the question, especially with the addition of Gordon, but another third-place finish is just as likely.
KEY ADDITIONS: OG Orlando Franklin, WR/KR Jacoby Jones, OT Joe Barksdale, CB Patrick Robinson, WR Stevie Johnson, DB Jimmy Wilson.
KEY LOSSES: RB, Ryan Mathews, CB Shareece Wright, WR Eddie Royal, S Marcus Gilchrist, C Nick Hardwick, LB Jarret Johnson, LB Dwight Freeney.
Talented signal-callers always keep their teams competitive. The Chargers, for example, flirted on and off with the playoffs each of the last two years. There is clearly enough talent on the roster to not only make it to the second season, but to win the division as well.
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