2012 San Diego Chargers Preview

The Chargers were a tricky team to back with your NFL picks last season as they once again went through a ton of ups and downs.

After starting off the 2011/12 campaign with a 4-1 mark, the Chargers then lost six straight games, including hard-to-take defeats at home to the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos.

They then went and won four of their last five games, murdering the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills at home and easily getting past the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders on the road.

In the end, they finished with an even 8-8 record in the wide open AFC West, but it wasn't enough to get into the playoffs.

How will the Chargers respond this year?

Amazingly enough, Norv Turner still remains as head coach, despite the constant rumors of getting fired season after season.

Turner will need much more effective play out of QB Philip Rivers, who despite throwing for 4624 yards had an unacceptable 20 interceptions. It was the highest turnover rate of his career.

May 29, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA: San Diego Chargers players Antwan Barnes (98) , Philip Rivers (17) , Charlie Whitehurst (6) and Jeromey Clary (66) stretch at organized team activities at Chargers Park. Photo Courtesy By: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE.

---

We can expect Rivers to bounce back, especially now that he's got a healthy Malcolm Floyd to throw to, as well as a number of other legitimate targets like Antonio Gates, Robert Meachem, Vincent Brown and Eddie Royal.

There's also been a lot of hype surrounding the San Diego camp about running back Ryan Mathews, who could be in for a breakout season.

In all, assuming this offense stays relatively healthy, few teams are going to score more points than the 2012/13 Chargers. The other side of the ball is much more questionable though after San Diego finished in the middle of the pack in total defense.

Still, watching Rivers and company duel it out against the AFC West, especially Peyton Manning's Broncos, will be intriguing. For San Diego, it always seems to be about consistency. We'll see soon enough if they can find it this year.

From 2012 San Diego Chargers Preview to NFL Football Blog | Sports Blog | NCAA Football Blog | NFL Football Archives | College Football Archives | MLB Baseball Blog | College Baseball Blog | MLB Baseball Archives | NBA Basketball Blog | NCAA Basketball Blog | NBA Basketball Archives | NCAA Basketball Archives | Fantasy Football | Fantasy Basketball | Fantasy Baseball | Soccer Archives | Olympics Archives | Stupid Athletes Archives | Other Archives | Football Forum | Basketball Forum | Baseball Forum | NFL Football Store | NBA Basketball Store | MLB Baseball Store | NCAA Football Store | NCAA Basketball Store | NCAA Baseball Store | Fatheads | NFL Football Tickets | NBA Basketball Tickets | MLB Baseball Tickets | NCAA Football Tickets | NCAA Basketball Tickets | NCAA Baseball Tickets |