2018 Record - 12-4-0
Head Coach - Anthony Lynn
Newcomers for 2019 - Tyrod Taylor (QB), Thomas Davis (LB)
Keys on Offense - Quarterback Philip Rivers is entering his 16th NFL season and put up solid numbers again last season, passing for 4,308 yards with 32 touchdowns and twelve interceptions.
The wide receivers are Keenan Allen (97 receptions, 1,196 yards, six TD) and Mike Williams, who caught 43 passes for 664 yards and ten touchdowns. Tight End Hunter Henry missed last season with a knee injury, but is ready to go this year. Virgil Green is the other tight end and he made 19 receptions for 210 yards with a touchdown last season.
The running game is looking to have Austin Ekeler (554 rushing yards, 5.2 ypc, three TD and 39 receptions for 404 yards and three TD) and Justin Jackson (206, 4.1 ypc, two TD) as the main backs while Melvin Gordon is holding out for a new contract. Gordon ran for 885 yards and had 50 receptions (490 yards) last season while missing four games and scored 14 total touchdowns, including ten rushing scores.
The Chargers finished eleventh overall in total offense, gaining 373 yards per game (117 rushing, 256 passing) and scored 26.8 points per game, which was sixth in the NFL.
Keys on Defense - Melvin Ingram (seven QB sacks) and Joey Bosa (5 1/2 sacks) are the leaders on the front line as the edge rushers. Isaac Rochell (five sacks) is an emerging defensive line player along with nose tackle Brandon Mebane and Justin Jones. Top rookie pick Jerry Tillery (Notre Dame) is in the mix as well.
Linebackers include Denzel Perryman (coming off injuries), Jatavis Brown, Uchenna Nwosu (3 1/2 sacks) and Thomas Davis, the 15-year veteran coming over from the Carolina Panthers.
In the secondary, All-Pro safety Derwin James suffered a broken foot in camp and will most likely be out of action until late November. As a rookie, James had 3 1/2 sacks and three interceptions.
Starting in his place will be Adrian Phillips, who will play along with Rayshawn Jenkins and corners Michael Davis and Casey Hayward, Jr. while Trevor Williams and Desmond King provide depth. King had three picks last season and also returned a punt for a touchdown on special teams.
OUTLOOK - The Chargers have a team loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and third year Head Coach Anthony Lynn would like to see the team take the next step and get to the Super Bowl after being eliminated by the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in the divisional round of the AFC Playoffs last year.
Philip Rivers isn't getting any younger and he is anxious to get to a Super Bowl before calling it a career. The passing game is among the best in pro football and the 'Bolts offense would like to continue to have a good balance with a solid running game like last year. However, Gordon's holdout could present problems unless Ekeler and Jackson show they can continue to step forward. Gordon missed four games in 2018 and with so many play makers, the Chargers didn't miss a beat and won them all.
On defense, Ingram and Bosa wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks as the Chargers totaled 38 QB sacks last season. The run defense is solid, allowing 106 yards per game last year (9th in NFL) while the pass defense also ranked ninth in the league, giving up 228 yards per game and getting 13 interceptions. The Chargers finished ninth in total defense as well, giving up 334 yards per game while allowing an average of 20.6 points per game.
After getting to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, the Chargers won a road playoff game at Baltimore before being blown out by the Patriots. So the big question is how far can they go provided they make the playoffs again this season?
As long as they stay healthy and Rivers shows he can continue his brilliant play while the defense does its job, there is no reason to doubt the Chargers can go 11-5 and challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West division title. It's not out of the question. The potential is there for this team to finally make a run to the Super Bowl.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. Indianapolis
Week 2 - at Detroit
Week 3 - vs. Houston
Week 4 - at Miami
Week 5 - vs. Denver
Week 6 - vs. Pittsburgh
Week 7 - at Tennessee
Week 8 - at Chicago
Week 9 - vs. Green Bay
Week 10 - at Oakland
Week 11 - vs. Kansas City (in Mexico City)
Week 12 - BYE
Week 13 - at Denver
Week 14 - at Jacksonville
Week 15 - vs. Minnesota
Week 16 - vs. Oakland
Week 17 - at Kansas City
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