Schedule preview: Are the Chargers still an elite team?

9-7, missing the post-season and failing to win the AFC West (hardly the most fearsome division in football) It doesn't make for tough reading when you see the 2010 Chargers on the Lion's schedule for the new season. We know this doesn't tell the full story and the question now arises: are the San Diego Chargers to be feared as a true Superbowl contender? Should they command the respect of maybe Pittsburgh or New England from the AFC?

I'll be honest I am not sure what to make of San Diego. They spent so much time beating themselves last year, and were so horrendous on Special Teams that you can't possibly see that happening again. They had the number 1 defense in the NFL allowing only 271 yards of total offense a game and 177 passing yards a game. However, with Ron Rivera leaving for Carolina it is difficult to predict how they will fare next season. They had the number 1 offense in the NFL too though, averaging nearly 400 yards a game with Phillip Rivers lighting it up for 283 yards a game. Insane! And he did that for most of the season with a no name cast of receivers, a banged up running back, several games without Gates (or with Gates triple teamed!) a hold out in Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeil also sitting time. What will they do with a full cast!?

The Chargers need to sort themselves out, and they will be hurting from last year. If I was to face them i'd want it to be in weeks 1-5 as they always start very slowly. Whatever happens I think they will always be the ace of the pack. They can beat you bad any time and also beat themselves any time. They slaughtered the Colts, threw away the Patriots game when they controlled them easily and then lost to the Seahawks and Raiders in clumsy fashion. Here's hoping the Lions meet the right team next season. Personally I find the Chargers great to watch and hope they can return to form, if anything to shut up the Jets and disturb the balance of power in the AFC.