2015 NFL Preview: Do the Chargers finally have what it takes?
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HOU | IND | JAX | TEN
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San Diego Chargers
| 2014 Record | 2014 Finish |
|---|---|
| 9-7 | 3rd in AFC West/9th in AFC |
After an 8-4 start put the Chargers in prime position to earn a playoff spot down the stretch, a disappointing 1-3 run over the next four games saw the club come up short.
San Diego continued its trend of hovering around the .500 mark, finishing the season with less than 10 wins for the fifth consecutive year.
Highlight of 2014
There may not be one particular play that stands out when taking a look back at the Chargers' 2014 season, but erasing a 21-point deficit to steal a Week 16 game from the San Francisco 49ers was easily the team's most impressive overall performance.
Preseason Power Ranking - #13
The Chargers have quietly built one of the league's most well-rounded teams, and they'll be in position to take control of the AFC West if Denver falters. The revamped offensive line is easily the most important upgrade San Diego made this offseason, finally taking some pressure off Philip Rivers. More...
2015 Season Outlook
Head Coach: Mike McCoy
Offensive Coordinator: Frank Reich
Defensive Coordinator: John Pagano
The Chargers enter the 2015 campaign with plenty of potential, not unlike every other season in recent memory, as they aim to end their long-standing run of mediocrity.
If the offensive-line additions pay off, by both leading the way for a strong running game and better protecting Philip Rivers in the pocket, San Diego may have an opportunity to emerge as a legitimate Super Bowl contender in the AFC.
Key Additions
- RB Melvin Gordon (1st Round)
- LB Denzel Perryman (2nd Round)
- G Orlando Franklin
- T Joe Barksdale
- WR Stevie Johnson
- WR/KR Jacoby Jones
- CB Patrick Robinson
Key Departures
- WR Eddie Royal
- RB Ryan Mathews
- LB Dwight Freeney
- LB Jarret Johnson
- C Nick Hardwick
Aside from the upgrades to the offensive front, which were several seasons past due, the added talent at the skill positions should have the most substantial impact on the Chargers' upcoming season.
Landing Melvin Gordon in the first round was long thought to be the Chargers' ideal draft scenario, potentially giving the team its first star running back since LaDainian Tomlinson. Stevie Johnson and Jacoby Jones combine to bolster an already productive receiving corps, which could prove significant for Philip Rivers while Antonio Gates serves a four-game suspension to start the year.
Bold Predictions
The Chargers will be perfect at home. The last time the Chargers had a perfect run at home was 2006, when they finished with the best record in the NFL at 14-2. They'll face some tough competition at home this season, with matchups against the Lions, Steelers, Broncos, and Dolphins, but will emerge victorious in each. - Caitlyn Holroyd
Danny Woodhead will finish with more total yards than Melvin Gordon. When the Chargers used a first-round pick on a running back, it was expected he would be a difference maker from Day 1. While Gordon is still expected to be the early-down back, his transition to the pro game hasn't been as fluid as the team may have hoped. Woodhead was a big part of the Chargers offense in 2013 but missed last season due to injury. Expect him to pick up where he left off, cutting into Gordon's snaps and compiling over 1,200 yards in the process. - Justin Boone
2015 will be the Chargers' last year in San Diego. A new stadium will be built for the Chargers in Los Angeles County, and the team will displayed next to no interest in reaching a compromise with the City of San Diego. It will be a bittersweet turn for San Diego, which has hosted the club since 1959. The team's been a part of the NFL since 1970. The lure of Los Angeles will be too much for the Spanos family to resist, and the league's owners will approve the relocation this winter. - Arun Srinivasan