SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

2012 Odds:
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Odds to Win AFC West: 9/5
Odds to Win AFC Championship: 14/1
Odds to Win Super Bowl XLVII: 30/1
Regular Season Wins Over/Under: 9

2012 Preview:
Offense:
Offensive line coach Hal Hunter picks up the offensive coordinator title after Clarence Shelmon’s retirement, but this remains head coach Norv Turner’s offense. They want to establish the power running game between the tackles, though Ryan Mathews gives them the versatility to mix in some zone blocking as well. With Mike Tolbert gone, newly acquired veteran Ronnie Brown will pick up some carries. But hybrid back Le’Ron McClain could end up more closely replicating Tolbert as the power change-of-pace to Mathews. While Mathews figures to play a lot of the red zone snaps, McClain seems likely to step in on the goal line.

Turner is an Air Coryell disciple who gets the ball downfield. Protection issues were at the root of Philip Rivers’ mid-season struggles in 2011, but they seem to have gotten things straightened out with Jared Gaither stepping in at left tackle. Rivers reads deep-to-short, with Robert Meachem taking over for Vincent Jackson as the primary deep target. Antonio Gates will continue to run a lot of intermediate crossing routes as the No. 2 option, with Malcom Floyd occasionally targeted as a deep threat. The Chargers use their backs often in the passing game and they really missed Darren Sproles last year. But the arrival of Eddie Royal in the slot could fill some of Sproles’ old catch-and-run playmaking. When they throw in the red zone, Gates is overwhelmingly the top target.

Defense:
The Chargers’ defense experienced quite a drop-off in production last season, allowing 75 more yards per game than in 2010. They brought in some solid veterans to help in 2012, but no real game-changers. First-round draft pick DE Melvin Ingram will need some seasoning before he becomes an elite pass rusher. Eric Weddle now plays more of a centerfield role rather than downhill in the box. This reduced his production in the tackle department and seemed to hurt the San Diego run defense a bit last season, but Weddle’s seven interceptions in 2011 were more than he had in his previous four seasons combined.

Key Offseason Moves:
ADDITIONS
QB Charlie Whitehurst (from Seahawks)
RB Jackie Battle (from Chiefs)
RB Ronnie Brown (from Eagles)
FB Le’Ron McClain (from Chiefs)
WR Robert Meachem (from Saints)
WR Eddie Royal (from Broncos)
WR Roscoe Parrish (from Bills)
WR/KR Michael Spurlock (from Buccaneers)
TE Dante Rosario (from Broncos)
T Michael Toudouze (from Colts)
T Mario Henderson (did not play in 2011)
G Rex Hadnot (from Cardinals)
NT Aubrayo Franklin (from Saints)
LB Jarret Johnson (from Ravens)
LB Demorrio Williams (from Chiefs)
S Atari Bigby (from Seahawks)

SUBTRACTIONS
QB Billy Volek (released)
RB Mike Tolbert (Panthers)
WR Vincent Jackson (Buccaneers)
T Marcus McNeill (released)
T Tra Thomas (retired)
T Tony Moll (Redskins)
G Kris Dielman (retired)
DE Luis Castillo (released)
LB Travis LaBoy (released)
LB Everette Brown (Lions)
LB Nate Triplett (Buccaneers)
CB Dante Hughes (Giants)
S Steve Gregory (Patriots)

2012 Schedule:
2012 Schedule Strength: 18.31 (Easiest in NFL)
Week 1 - at Oakland
Week 2 - Tennessee
Week 3 - Atlanta
Week 4 - at Kansas City
Week 5 - at New Orleans
Week 6 - Denver
Week 7 - BYE WEEK
Week 8 - at Cleveland
Week 9 - Kansas City
Week 10 - at Tampa Bay
Week 11 - at Denver
Week 12 - Baltimore
Week 13 - Cincinnati
Week 14 - at Pittsburgh
Week 15 - Carolina
Week 16 - at New York Jets
Week 17 - Oakland

StatFox Take: The Chargers have won at least eight games in each of the past eight seasons, including 11+ wins in four of those years. In 2012, they have the easiest schedule in the entire league, but it will get tougher in Weeks 11-14 when they take on four straight AFC playoff teams from a year ago (Broncos, Ravens, Bengals and Steelers). But considering San Diego has won eight of its past 11 road games in the mediocre AFC West division, reaching double-digit wins isn’t a lot to ask, especially getting plus money for this Over wager.
Prediction: OVER 9 wins (+110)

All NFL Previews

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans

AFC West
Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers

NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - Friday, August 17
New York Giants - Saturday, August 18
Philadelphia Eagles - Sunday, August 19
Washington Redskins - Monday, August 20

NFC North
Chicago Bears - Tuesday, August 21
Detroit Lions - Wednesday, August 22
Green Bay Packers - Thursday, August 23
Minnesota Vikings - Friday, August 24

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - Saturday, August 25
Carolina Panthers - Sunday, August 26
New Orleans Saints - Monday, August 27
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tuesday, August 28

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - Wednesday, August 29
San Francisco 49ers - Thursday, August 30
Seattle Seahawks - Friday, August 31
St. Louis Rams - Saturday, September 1