The San Diego Chargers are not expected to do much this year, as current Vegas Odds have them listed at 50-1 to win the 2013/14 NFL Title. The Chargers began 2012 uncharacteristically fast, winning three of their first four games, but a series of costly turnovers and blown leads translated into six losses in their next seven games. The year ended with a disappointing 7-9 record, a third straight playoff absence and the firing of coach Norv Turner and GM A.J. Smith.

The Chargers reign as viable AFC contenders is over, and now the Bolts find themselves in the middle of a transition period. This season determines whether it’s a retooling on the fly or a complete rebuild in San Diego. The coaching staff and front office were overhauled, and the franchise is clearly better for those long-overdue moves. Now the impetus is on quarterback Philip Rivers and an underrated young core of defenders to show they can avoid a steep decline and stay in the playoff picture late in the season.

How the Chargers fare this year depends on how well Rivers plays behind a retooled line, and how well the running game can relieve pressure. Much also relies on the revamped secondary, a proposition of which I’m much less optimistic. I think the regime change makes a positive impact and that bump in energy is good for an extra win or two. Unfortunately, between the difficult schedule and the glaring lack of depth at so many positions, those extra wins get washed out by additional losses.

The schedule makers did the Chargers no favors. The road games are frontloaded. Following the opener hosting Houston, San Diego plays seven of their next ten games on the road. Additionally, they drew what figures to be their tougher opponents as home games. Every non-divisional home foe won at least eight games last year. Weeks 2 and 3 see cross-country roadies to Philadelphia and Tennessee, while their Week 8 bye is sandwiched around trips to Jacksonville and Washington. It’s a very formidable schedule.

This is clearly a rebuilding year in San Diego, but they also appear headed in the right direction. 

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