2013 NFL PREDICTIONS!!! (TYLER)

CHARGE UP THE BOLTS!

For Day 16 of my 2013 NFL Predictions, and finishing off the AFC, i will break down the SAN DIEGO CHARGERS.

For years under QB Philip Rivers, the Chargers were the team to beat in the AFC West, RB LaDanian  Tomlinson was a beast to deal with and WR Vincent Jackson along with TE Antonia Gates were unstoppable. Not to mention a defense lead by LB Shawn Merriman rounded out a team that many predicted was Super Bowl bound. That did not happen however, last year the Charger fired Head Coach Norv Turner and their General Manager A.J. Smith bringing a fresh look to the coaching staff. RB Tomlinson is no longer with the team, along with Jackson, and Merriman. And Antonio Gates has declined over the last couple of seasons. The Chargers did bring in new faces via the draft this year, lets take a quick glance at who they drafted.

ROUND 1: D.J. Fluker OT (Alabama)

ROUND 2: Manti Te'o ILB (Notre Dame)

ROUND 3: Keenan Allen WR (California)

ROUND 5: Steve Williams CB (California)

ROUND 6: Tourek Williams DE (Florida International)

ROUND 7: Brad Sorensen QB (Southern Utah)

The Chargers did some nice things in the draft, i would have liked to see them address the offensive line needs more because they are terrible. QB Philip Rivers breathed a sigh of relief when the Chargers drafted OT Fluker and then grinned when they gave him a weapon like Keenan Allen. The Chargers took a chance on LB Manti Te'o according to the experts, i don't agree, Te'o but in a solid body of work during 99% of his career at Notre Dame and most people dogged on him because of his performance in the National Championship game against Alabama and at the combine. I see him as a star on the defense for the Chargers. I give the Chargers a "good not great" draft. How much will the draft help the Chargers you say? Lets take a look now at my prediction.

OPPONENTS                                     W/L
HOUSTON (MONDAY)                         L
@ PHILADELPHIA                               W
@ TENNESSEE                                    L
DALLAS                                               W
@ OAKLAND                                       L
INDIANAPOLIS (MONDAY)                  L
@ JACKSONVILLE                              W
BYE WEEK
@ WASHINGTON                                 L
DENVER                                                L
@ MIAMI                                                L
@ KANSAS CITY                                  L
CINCINNATI                                          L
NEW YORK GIANTS                            L
@ DENVER (THURSDAY)                   L
OAKLAND                                          W
KANSAS CITY                                     L

FINAL RECORD                               4 - 12

Analysis: No i don't see them getting enough help through the draft and free agency to contend in the division. I think it's going to take more help on the Offensive Line to keep QB Philip Rivers upright and open up lanes for RB Ryan Matthews. Watch for WR Vincent Brown to become the star of the offense this year though and Rivers' favorite target. Unfortunately i see the end of the career of one of the great TE in the game this year, my feeling is Antonio Gates retires after this year. Who knows though, with new coaches and a new GM the Chargers could potentially turn the clock back in the next couple of years to being contenders once again in the AFC West. Just not this year.

These are my thought and opinions. Whats yours? Thanks for Reading