2015 Predictions

[KNSD]

Not as in-tune this year with the team. Last year's team was really, really banged up. But they also way overachieved - winning three games they shouldn't have because of specific 1-on-1 matchups and/or bad CBs they exploited all to hell.

Health is still an issue. Not having Gates will hurt the Chargers the first four games. OL is still very up in the air, especially if Watt is injured again (and there's every indication he will be). Stevie Johnson really needs to be good enough to get double teamed. If he's not then the season is going to be very, very challenging for the offense.

Defense is studly everywhere except up the middle. Team will be vulnerable to running, deep posts, and crossing routes. Many injury-prone starters need to figure out a way to stay on the field.

Scifres has lost a step. Lambo will help with kickoffs. Coverage seems to be less proficient this year than last.

Better team overall, worse record by one game. Prediction: 7-8 to 8-8.

Date	home/away	Team	Probability
Sun, Sep 13	vs	Lions	0.45
Sun, Sep 20	@	Bengals	0.4
Sun, Sep 27	@	Vikings	0.35
Sun, Oct 4	vs	Browns	0.7
Mon, Oct 12	vs	Steeler	0.65
Sun, Oct 18	@	Packers	0.3
Sun, Oct 25	vs	Raiders	0.8
Sun, Nov 1	@	Ravens	0.35
Mon, Nov 9	vs	Bears	0.7
Sun, Nov 22	vs	Chiefs	0.6
Sun, Nov 29	@	Jaguars	0.6
Sun, Dec 6	vs	Broncos	0.6
Sun, Dec 13	@	Chiefs	0.3
Sun, Dec 20	vs	Dolphin	0.45
Thu, Dec 24	@	Raiders	0.45
Sun, Jan 3	@	Broncos	0.45
		TOTAL	8.15

[richpjr]

Not sure last years team so much over achieved as the coaching staff got the maximum out of them with the injuries. And while we did win some gams we could have lost, we also lost some games we could have won.

The team is counting on some young players to take the next step and some guys to stay healthy and that isn't a slam dunk. But it is also a reasonable assumption and the play in the preseason seems to back up the progression we are counting on. Health will be the big key.

Some thoughts: our OC has a year of play calling under his belt and hopefully learned a few things.

Or running game looks like it will start slow as the line gels, but having Woodhead back and adding Gordon and BO with another year looks like it should get better and better as the year progresses.

The pass rush in the preseason looks an order of magnitude better than last year, but we need to see it in rap games where the other team planned for it.

Stevie Johnson looks like an upgrade over Royal and I would not be surprised to see him as our best WR by years end.

Secondary looks like we have some playmakers.

If Rivers stays healthy, I can see us winning between 9 and 11 games, so I'll take the middle and say 10-6.

[Boltaction]

I'm going with 11 wins, and a split with the Broncos and a split with the Chiefs, while sweeping the Raiders.

[captaind]

Division is weak.

10-6

[Mister Hoarse]

Split with KC, sweep Oak, 8-8 if Den does not sweep us.

[Iowachargers]

Win some, lose some.

[Millionaire Wussy]

If the o-line comes together eventually I can see 10 wins this season. Now if it means an injured Rivers in the process - before they start to gel he gets torn apart and misses most of the season - then we could still see a decent o-line eventually but only get eight wins or so due to having a lesser QB at the helm.

So I'm giving a range of wins...six to ten.

[Bolt-O]

18-0!

[Steve]

Not as in-tune this year with the team. Last year's team was really, really banged up. But they also way overachieved - winning three games they shouldn't have because of specific 1-on-1 matchups and/or bad CBs they exploited all to hell.

Health is still an issue. Not having Gates will hurt the Chargers the first four games. OL is still very up in the air, especially if Watt is injured again (and there's every indication he will be). Stevie Johnson really needs to be good enough to get double teamed. If he's not then the season is going to be very, very challenging for the offense.

Defense is studly everywhere except up the middle. Team will be vulnerable to running, deep posts, and crossing routes. Many injury-prone starters need to figure out a way to stay on the field.

Scifres has lost a step. Lambo will help with kickoffs. Coverage seems to be less proficient this year than last.

Better team overall, worse record by one game. Prediction: 7-8 to 8-8.

Very glass is half empty look at things.

Kickoff coverage is always bad in preseason because the guys have not worked together. No point since most will be on the street at this point.

Scfries was outkicking his coverage, but again, time will tell if the coverage can match since they are going with just the backups and most of them are gone.

The key to the season is the OL play. Last year, our 1st down plays were often losses or quick throws underneath against secondaries ready to jump the routes. We HAVE to do better running the ball. We don't have to be great, just get back up to average and the rest of the offense is fine. We need to be able to get our play action game going, because we missed that most of all last year.

We have plenty of weapons so while not having Gates will hurt some, it is not a killer. Woodhead, the other TE and the WR we have give us plenty of options. Not having Gates is like Rivers not having his security blanket. But defenses will have trouble as long as we protect Rivers and give him the chance to set his feet and throw downfield.

On D, I think we are pretty set. The run D was solid most of last year, and only really struggles against mobile QB (see 49ers game last year). We rush the QB much better than last year (we can't get any worse then last year), and if preseason is any indication, we should get a lot of extra chances based on the rush. Last 2 years, the lack of pass rush has killed our turnover ratio, and we just need to force some.

We can't tell anything about pass coverage based on preseason. Our starters didn't play much, and they played vanilla coverages with no game planning or film study.

As I said, it all comes down to the OL. WE need some running room, eliminate the huge proportion of negative plays, and give Rivers at least some time, because the none that he had last year is just not acceptable. Do that, it gives our offense the chance to score points, control the clock and that makes our pass rush even more effective.

But without the OL playing well, our entire offense will struggle like it did last year, and it will put the D on the field, where our younger players inexperience will be tested.

[Boltjolt]

12-4 if minimul injuries....10-6 at worst with a few key injuries.

Bronco fans think they will go 14-2 and have a top 3 defense. I dont think Denver will be as good as they have been the past two seasons.

[Mister Hoarse]

Very glass is half empty look at things.

Kickoff coverage is always bad in preseason because the guys have not worked together. No point since most will be on the street at this point.

Scfries was outkicking his coverage, but again, time will tell if the coverage can match since they are going with just the backups and most of them are gone.

The key to the season is the OL play. Last year, our 1st down plays were often losses or quick throws underneath against secondaries ready to jump the routes. We HAVE to do better running the ball. We don't have to be great, just get back up to average and the rest of the offense is fine. We need to be able to get our play action game going, because we missed that most of all last year.

We have plenty of weapons so while not having Gates will hurt some, it is not a killer. Woodhead, the other TE and the WR we have give us plenty of options. Not having Gates is like Rivers not having his security blanket. But defenses will have trouble as long as we protect Rivers and give him the chance to set his feet and throw downfield.

On D, I think we are pretty set. The run D was solid most of last year, and only really struggles against mobile QB (see 49ers game last year). We rush the QB much better than last year (we can't get any worse then last year), and if preseason is any indication, we should get a lot of extra chances based on the rush. Last 2 years, the lack of pass rush has killed our turnover ratio, and we just need to force some.

We can't tell anything about pass coverage based on preseason. Our starters didn't play much, and they played vanilla coverages with no game planning or film study.

As I said, it all comes down to the OL. WE need some running room, eliminate the huge proportion of negative plays, and give Rivers at least some time, because the none that he had last year is just not acceptable. Do that, it gives our offense the chance to score points, control the clock and that makes our pass rush even more effective.

But without the OL playing well, our entire offense will struggle like it did last year, and it will put the D on the field, where our younger players inexperience will be tested.

We are still very weak at Center.

[bonehead]

11-5, AFC WEST Champs.......kick the crap out of New England in the AFC

Championship and crush Seattle 44-10 in the Super Bowl

Suck it