San Diego Chargers Playoff Profileby James Alder
The Team:
Team Colors: Navy Blue, White, and Gold
Head Coach: Marty Schottenheimer
Owner: Alex Spanos
Location: San Diego, California Offensive Ranking:
Run: 7th (127.4)
Pass: 26th (187.8)
Overall: 20th (315.3)
Points Per Game: 5th (25.8)
Key Player: Philip Rivers
LaDainian Tomlinson is still the best player on this team, and the best back in the NFL (despite efforts by many to prematurely pass the crown to Minnesota's Adrian Peterson). But with Tomlinson, you know what kind of effort and production you're going to get from him every week. Rivers doesn't have to throw for 300 yards or toss four TD passes, but he needs to manage the game well and avoid the turnovers. He was very up-and-down during the regular season, and the team can't afford a another down performance in the playoffs. Defensive Ranking:
Run: 16th (107.0)
Pass: 14th (213.3)
Overall: 14th (320.3)
Points Per Game: 5th (17.8)
Key Player: Shawne Merriman
After a period of adjusting to a new defensive scheme and coaching staff, Merriman seems to be back to his old self. He came on strong late in the season, making more big plays than he did early on. The Chargers need him to continue making a big impact, because the attention other teams must commit to Merriman because of his great pass-rushing skills opens things up for other guys like fellow outside linebacker Shaun Phillips. Turnovers:
Give Aways: 24
Take Aways: 48 Outlook:
The Chargers are a very talented team on both sides of the ball, and they appear to be peaking at just the right time. They haven't been quite the force defensively that they were expected to be, but have had recent success by turning up the pressure applied by their linebackers. Offensively, they bring one of the better rushing games to the table, but their passing game is inconsistent at best.
The Chargers have the players to make some noise in the post-season, but they are going to have to be at the top of their game to get through a heavily talented AFC playoff field.
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