There are a lot of tough divisions in the AFC, filled with teams not only seeing recent success but also storied pasts. One of those divisions is the AFC West, which the San Diego Chargers represent. The Chargers won nine games last season and are looking to not only improve that number, but win a division title this season. Many are picking the Denver Broncos to stay a top of the West, but there’s a team in San Diego charged up and ready to make a run.
It all starts with the commander and chief running the offense behind center. Philip Rivers is back on track and is again one of the league top signal callers. During a period of time many thought he was done in San Diego, but with his great play the last two seasons, the team gave him a nice contract extension. Last season, Rivers passed for 4,286 yards and 31 touchdowns to only 18 interceptions. Season before that 32 touchdowns to only 11 interceptions.
This year with added fire power, Rivers and the Chargers are poised to take the AFC West and the entire league by storm. Rivers will also have his top two targets from last season back as well. Antonio Gates and Keenan Allen will no doubt be the top two targets again this year. Gates will have to sit the first four games of the season for after testing positive for an illegal substance, but he’s still the one of the best tight ends in the league and should still have a productive season.
What I want to see is Allen get back to his rookie year form. In 2013 Allen racked up 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns. If Allen can get back to his 1,000 plus days this Chargers offense can really turn heads.
One of the biggest additions to the offense however is one Melvin Gordon one of the best running backs coming out of college last year. Gordon gives Rivers and the Chargers something they haven't had since the days of LaDainian Tomlinson. Gordon is a back that can be affective between the tackles, as well as in the passing game. His last season at Wisconsin he had over 2,500 yards rushing, with 29 rushing touchdowns. He also added three receiving touchdowns to that total.
Gordon is a running back that can consistently get to over 1,2000 yards on the ground, and the Chargers haven’t had a rusher like that since Tomlinson. Adding the threat of the ground game can really open a lot of chances for Rivers and the passing game.
This Charges offense has a full charge and is ready to put up big points this up coming season. Fantasy wise Rivers has been one of the top fantasy targets the last two years, and Gates and Allen his top two targets would be great pick ups as well. That is if you are ok with Gates’ four game suspension to start the season. Then there’s Gordon top rookie running back and future of the franchise. Gordon should be a good pick up in your fantasy draft as he will most likely go over 1,000 yards rushing and add some receiving production as well.