My Antonio Gates Blog

The San Diego Chargers are one of the most talented teams in the NFL that has yet to win a Super Bowl. They have all the right pieces in place but have yet to get over the hump.

The Chargers have perhaps the easiest division to win, the AFC West - with the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos there are no serious threats at all to challenge for the division title. Anything less than a Super Bowl appearance will be a disappointment for the franchise.

They have everything a team needs to be a contender, QB Philip Rivers is among the best in the league, an explosive running game with Darren Sproles, Michael Bennett, and LaDaninian Tomlinson, wide receivers Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson, and a stellar defense with Shawne Merriman, Quentin Jammer, Antonio Cromarti, and Stephen Cooper.

The defense hasn't lived up to their potential just yet though.

Whatever the reasons are that the Chargers haven't won the Super Bowl, they could be the classic underachievers. But 09' should prove to be a make or break year for head coach Norv Turner.

Turner's career record is under .500 and if he can't lead the Chargers to a strong playoff run with the talent the Chargers have, he might be looking at the wanted ads at the end of the season.

The AFC is extremely difficult to win this year - Baltimore Ravens have an offense for the first time, the Indianapolis Colts have Peyton Manning and always a threat, the New York Jets are improved with a top-notch defense, the New England Patriots have a healthy Tom Brady again, and the Pittsburgh Steelers should be a contender.

The Chargers have a good balance, both running and throwing the ball, which gives them a chance to win every game. The Chargers must play up to their potential if they ever expect to play in February.

Get in on more Chargers talk at the San Diego Chargers forum, and play some free fantasy football at RootZoo