Los Angeles Chargers Picked To Win the AFC West

The Los Angeles Chargers have a lot of distractions to deal with this coming season due in large part to their ongoing process of moving the team from San Diego.

History shows this can be a huge problem for winning during that season. In fact only one team successfully made the playoffs. That being the Raiders when they moved from Oakland to Los Angeles in the early 1980s. The Chargers haven’t shown they’re capable of winning without such a distraction. So why in the world should anybody think that can change with it?

Mike Clay of ESPN is a big believer in the Bolts. He not only thinks they’ll be very improved in 2017, but will navigate the gauntlet to win the AFC West division. Something they haven’t done in seven years. His reasoning? It comes down to a steady, productive series of drafts.

"“Rivers is armed with more weapons than he has had in years and shouldn’t have as much on his shoulders, thanks to the team’s improved and emerging defense. As long as the line isn’t a complete disaster, the offense should be able to match or improve on the 2.7 touchdowns per game it scored last year (12th in the league).When analyzing a team’s prospects, we tend to contradict ourselves. The Redskins are often criticized for overspending in free agency. The Eagles are still mocked for their attempt at the “Dream Team.” Build through the draft — not free agency, we tweet with hashtags galore. The Chargers have done exactly that, but get snubbed as a potential breakout in lieu of a team like Tampa Bay, which added a rookie tight end and an injury-plagued, 30-year-old deep threat (I’m being slightly flippant) to an otherwise pedestrian roster.The Chargers have drafted and developed a strong core with talented veterans and/or emerging stars at nearly every position. They have the best team on paper in the AFC West and are primed for a return to the playoffs in 2017.”"

Careful construction of Chargers roster to yield dividends?

Indeed there is a lot to like about what the Chargers have done. Their defense finished 10th overall at the end of last year. They have one of the youngest, most dynamic front sevens in the AFC with a Pro Bowler at corner as well. This allowed them to focus on upgrading the offense. They started by signing left tackle Russell Okung. Soon they followed that up by taking wide receiver Mike Williams, and guards Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney in the draft.

Suddenly this is an offense that is looking younger, healthier and more talented than it has in years. The timing couldn’t be better for Philip Rivers who knows his time in the league grows short. If he’s ever going to finally get his shot at a Super Bowl, it has to be soon. At last the Chargers may have constructed the roster needed to make that happen.