2008 San Diego Chargers Predictions & NFL Picks
August 12, 2008
The San Diego Chargers are as equipped as any team in the NFL to win the title and are at short +700 odds to win the 2009 Superbowl. The AFC runners-up have star quality all over the field and expectations are high on head coach Norv Turner to get the job done. About the only real question mark on San Diego is if Turner can coach the Chargers to the promise land with all the blue-chip personnel.
RB LaDanian Tomlinson, QB Phillip Rivers and TE Antonio Gates power a San Diego offense that relies on the run and a vertical passing game. Gates is the best in the game at TE and 6′5″ WR Vincent Jackson is on his way to becoming a star player. Chris Chambers has 4.40 speed opposite of Jackson and backups WR’s Buster Davis and Legedu Naanee are solid. QB Phillip Rivers is coming off knee surgery and might not be 100% this season but is still a top-10 NFL QB. Rivers is a great competitor with pinpoint accuracy on short-to-intermediate throws. RB Ladanian Tomlinson had an off-year but is still one of the 3 best RB’s in the NFL and will have good backups in Darren Sproles and rookie Jacob Hester. The O-line is a strong group that excels in both the run and pass. The only glaring question mark on the line is at right tackle with weak link Jeromey Clary. The AFC West San Diego Betting odds to win the division are at -350.
San Diego has one of the best 3-4 defenses in the NFL led by star players OLB Shawn Merriman and CB Antonio Cromartie. DE Luis Castillo is also a monster that can bench press over 500 Lbs. but has been bit by the injury bug. DE Igor Olshansky is even stronger doing 6 reps at 465 Lbs. on the bench-press and he is awesome against the run. 6′3 348 Lb. DT Jamal Williams is still a very good nose tackle but has lost a step at age 32 with bad knees. OLB Shawn Merriman leads the NFL with 39.5 sacks in his last three years in the NFL and is one of the 10 best players in the NFL at any position. OLB Shaun Phillips is a blitz specialist with 27 sacks over the last three years and the linebacking core has excellent depth. CB Antonio Cromartie lead the NFL with 10 Int’s and can cover any wideout in the NFL with his 4.30 speed and size at a chisled 6′2″ 203 Lbs. Opposite of Cromartie CB Quentin Jammer is a very good player entering his prime. Ballhawking FS Eric Weddle is a powerful hitter and SS Clinton Hart is on the rise with his ability to stop the run. The special teams are well-rounded and have athletes that can make plays all over thge field. Punter Mike Scrifes was #7 in the NFL in gross avg. and PK Matt Kaeding has one the most accurate legs in the NFL.
If the Chargers can stay healthy and Phillip Rivers can play well despite his banged up knee San Diego should go deep into the postseason. Norv Turner seems to have the confidence of his players and he has the pieces in place to beat anybody. My 2008 San Diego Chargers NFL predictions call for them to dominate the AFC West and win 11-12 games. The 2008 San Diego Chargers OVER\UNDER is at 10.5 WINS with the OVER at -175.
2007 San Diego Chargers NFL Betting Record: 11-5 ATS
2008 San Diego Chargers NFL Predictions Power Ratings
Coaching: 5
Quarterback: 7
Running Backs: 9
Offensive Line: 7
Wideouts: 9
Defensive Line: 7
Linebackers: 8
Secondary: 8
Special Teams: 8
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