The general public may look at the AFC West and see several different teams capable of claiming the division, but the oddsmakers have pinpointed a clear favorite. The Los Angeles Chargers played well down the stretch last season and are entering the 2018 campaign as the team to beat in the division.
The Chargers have long had a star quarterback in Philip Rivers but they have also added a semblance of a running game as well as a strong defense. The AFC West isn’t easy because it also features the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos, but the Chargers are the favorites.
This is a team that has had trouble living up to expectations for the past several years but hope to finally buck that trend and make a nice playoff push in NFL gambling.
Los Angeles Chargers Opening Futures Odds at BookMaker.eu
Chargers Over 9.5 Wins -119
Chargers Under 9.5 Wins -101
2018 Chargers Offense Preview
Rivers hasn’t had the postseason success of contemporaries like Tom Brady, Drew Brees or Eli Manning so he is not generally placed in their stratosphere, but he has been a very good quarterback for a long time. He will aim to have another productive season and has some good weapons to find.
Keenan Allen has transformed into one of the most lethal wide receivers in the NFL and he should surpass 1,000 yards receiving in this season once again. Mike Williams was a high draft pick a year ago and is aiming to pay off on that promise in 2018. Melvin Gordon is a talented running back who should see plenty of action in both the running game and passing game.
As long as the Los Angeles offensive line gives him time Rivers should be in line for another successful campaign.
2018 Chargers Defense Preview
The Chargers have gotten much better on this side of the ball in recent years. Much of that is due to its pass rush. Joey Bosa was a home run draft pick a couple of seasons ago and he is teaming with Melvin Ingram as one of the best edge-rushing duos in the NFL. As long as Bosa stays healthy he could be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. He is that good.
Casey Hayward has transformed into a shutdown cornerback while the team drafted versatile safety Derwin James in the first round of the draft. The Chargers have not often been known for their defense but there is a lot to like about this group.
Los Angeles is going to put up points and if this group can play up to its potential it is easy to see why there is optimism surrounding the Chargers in 2018.
2018 Los Angeles Chargers Schedule Analysis
There are some tough games on the schedule, as the Chargers have to play the Chiefs twice, the Rams, the Seahawks and the Steelers, but overall it is manageable. Los Angeles would have loved to win the division a year ago but failing to do so actually helped it with the scheduling because it avoided some of the AFC powers like the Jaguars and Patriots.
The Chargers open the season with the Chiefs, then play back-to-back road games against the Bills and Rams before returning home to face the resurgent 49ers. We should get a good idea about where this team is at when that first portion of the schedule concludes.
The Final Verdict
The Chargers seem to be snakebitten, so it’s hard to make this pick with any confidence, but for once, the stars seem to be aligning. Los Angeles has a star quarterback, a star receiver and key pieces at edge rusher and cornerback. Those are the most important positions in the NFL and sets this team up well to have a nice year.
There are plenty of winnable games on the schedule. It’s not easy finding double-digit victories in the NFL but the Chargers have the personnel to make it happen. This projected win total is high but Los Angeles is going to hit it in NFL odds.
NFL Betting Odds: Los Angeles Chargers Over 9.5 Wins (-119)
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