Bold Prediction: The Chargers and a Super Bowl Run

After years of mediocrity, the Los Angeles Chargers finally have the talent to change that narrative.

Can you hear the trumpets blowing? Do you smell the fresh cut grass? Are you listening to the clack of concrete cleats stomping the pavement? Can you hear whistles echoing throughout your neighborhood? Have you realized that next month is September? Do you know what this means? Football is back!

Fantasy freaks, hometown fans, front-runners, and gamblers and those who will watch any game, even if it’s the Browns against the Jets. Sorry, cheap shot! Well, here we go!

Bring on the helmet to helmet clashes, the 50-yard bombs, running backs juking defenders out of their cleats, and the defensive end who smashes the quarterback blindside leading to a touchdown the other way. Football is back baby!

As for predictions…which happens to be my specialty, the first one I’ll make is that the Philadelphia Eagles won’t repeat as NFL champions. In fact, I’m so confident that I believe that they won’t even reach the NFC Championship game. I still think Philly is a hell of a team, but back-to-back Super Bowls are hard to come by these days. That is, unless, you’re the New England Patriots of course.

The NFC looks stacked this year as the AFC seems to be playing catch up after a decade of conference domination. I’ll break down the NFC in my next piece. For now, let’s concentrate on a handful of teams who may actually contend for the title in a weak conference.

Other than the Pats and Pittsburgh, no other team really scares people in the AFC. Sure, the Chiefs could do well based off sophomore Patrick Maholmes at quarterback. Perhaps the Broncos’ defense can carry them to victories. Maybe DeShaun Watson and J.J. Watt come back fully healthy and light it up for Houston as they’ve shown they can do. Some are a bit high on the Raiders; I’m not. Get Khalil Mack in camp and we’ll talk. Just because Andrew Luck is returning to the Colts doesn’t make them automatic contenders. There’s a supreme lack of team talent in the AFC conference.

Courtesy: chatsports.com

However, there are two teams that can make some noise come playoff time. One won’t surprise you based on last years success but the other will. Fear not, you’ll understand why after I briefly explain.

One team is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have a ferocious defense and a superb running game. If Blake Bortles can improve upon last season, then the Jags will definitely be a force. The other team is the, let me get this right, the Los Angeles Chargers.

This team is always on the bubble for the postseason due to horrific starts in the first half of the year. Then they seem to turn it on and Phillip Rivers turns into an MVP candidate. Rivers has a Pro Bowl wide receiver in Keenan Allen and a star running back in the making: Melvin Gordon. With an improved offensive line who’s had more time to practice as a unit, are mammoth men in the way of Russell Okung, Mike Pouncey, and Virgil Green. One of Rivers’ biggest problems over the past few years has been QB protection. If he gets time in the pocket, old #17 can still put the ball anywhere.

Here are some other players the Bolts will be looking forward to taking the field on Sundays. Joey Bosa, who is recovering from a left foot injury, will return and be the monster DE that the Chargers drafted. Other defensive factors on this squad are guys like fellow defensive lineman Corey Liuget and Melvin Ingram. Jatavis Brown and Trevor Williams could be real assets at outside linebacker chasing down fleet-footed running backs. I admit the Chargers are still figuring things out in the secondary. But, if that front four can apply constant pressure on opposing QB’s, then the DB’s job becomes much easier. They can sit on routes, play more bump and run, and truly frustrate a receiver if the ball isn’t coming his way due to that pressure on the quarterback.

Courtesy: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Coaches say even though the secondary is still being sorted out, they realize they have special playmakers that are ready to take the field and play their hearts out.

Phillip Rivers was drafted in one of the best quarterback classes of all time. His counterparts Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning have both won two titles. I think it’s time Rivers joins the crew and possibly solidify himself as future Hall of Famer. Rivers doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Every player needs his teammates in the great game of football. If the Bolts fire hot out of the gate, then watch that confidence grow among the team which can finally lead them to the promised land.

The organization is very high on the signing of new head coach Anthony Lynn. Lynn, who’s been around the league for many years, most recently in Buffalo, rejuvenize their offense and helped them reach the playoffs for the first time in nearly 20 years. I expect big things out of the Chargers this year. You heard it here first!