My Antonio Gates Blog

The San Diego Chargers capped off the 2009 regular season with 11 straight wins on their way to a fourth straight AFC West division title. However, they couldn't keep it going in the playoffs. They were upset by the New York Jets in the divisional round.

The Chargers still appear to be the most talented team in the West as we near the 2010 season, but just winning another division title will be a disappointment if this team doesn't make a trip to the Super Bowl.

Offense: Despite a pathetic running game, which ranked next to last in the league, the Chargers were one of the most explosive offensive teams in the NFL last season. With a 28.4 points per game scoring average, the Chargers boasted the fourth-best scoring offense in the league.

Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers led the way in 2009, and his right arm will continue to be the focal point of the offense now that LaDainian Tomlinson is a New York Jet. Rivers threw for 4,254 yards and 28 scores with just nine interceptions, while finishing third in the NFL with a 104.4 quarterback rating.

Rivers benefits from having a pair of elite targets in the receiving corps. Antonio Gates is one of the premier pass catching tight ends in the NFL and Jackson is quickly emerging as a top notch wideout. This dynamic duo combined for 147 catches, 2,324 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.

The Chargers were the second-worst rushing team in the NFL in 2009, only gaining 88.9 yards per game. While it was tough to part ways with one of the greatest backs in NFL history, San Diego's running game can't get any worse. If anything it should get better with the fresh legs of first round draft pick Ryan Matthews and a healthier offensive line.

Defense: The San Diego defense was solid in 2009, only allowing 20.0 points per game (11th in the NFL), but the Chargers aren't satisfied. Their pass defense wasn't consistent. In fact, they ranked No. 20 in the NFL against the pass, giving up 209.2 yards per game. The Chargers can easily decrease that number if outside linebacker Shawne Merriman returns to form.

Merriman didn't look like himself in his first season back from a serious knee injury. He only tallied four sacks after averaging 13.2 per year through his first three seasons.

The other Shaun, Shaun Phillips, continued his consistently good play with a seven sack campaign. He has now recorded at least seven sacks each of the last five years. The Bolts are also looking for more production from Larry English in his second season.

Kevin Burnett and Stephen Cooper will join the aforementioned platoon to form a solid linebacker unit.

Big Luis Castillo leads the charge up front with fellow vets Jacques Cesaire, Ryon Bingham, Travis Johnson and Antonio Garay chipping in as well.

San Diego struggled to defend the pass last season, allowing 209.2 yards per game through the air (20th in the NFL). More production from Merriman or English will go a long way toward improving this area.

The Chargers shipped Antonio Cromartie to the Jets, but they like what they have in 2008 first round pick Antoine Cason. He joins shutdown corner Quentin Jammer to form a formidable cornerback duo.

Prediction: 1st AFC West - Look for the Bolts to win a fifth straight division title behind the strong right arm of Rivers. NFL lines makes have listed the Chargers as a big favorite to win the AFC West.

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