Cantor Gaming, arguably on of the most respected sportsbooks in Las Vegas, has released its highly anticipated NFL season win totals. The San Diego Chargers are slated for a down year, checking in at 7.5 wins (even). San Diego is at +2000 Odds to win the AFC Championship and +6000 Odds to win Super Bowl XLVIII.
The season was a metaphor for Norv Turner's tenure as head coach. San Diego started well (it won its first two games), hit a rough patch (it lost seven of eight), regained its legs down the stretch (it won three of its final four), but ultimately came up short (it missed the playoffs for the third straight year). The only positive for most Chargers fans was that Turner and general manager A.J. Smith were fired after the season.
Turnover have also been a big part of San Diego's collapse and it starts with QB Philip Rivers. After throwing 13 interceptions just once in his first four seasons as a starter, he has done it each of the last three seasons. His 47 turnovers over the last two years trail everyone but Mark Sanchez (52). Part of his problem was the constant drain of playmakers, including running backs Michael Turner (2008), LaDainian Tomlinson (2010) and Darren Sproles (2011) and wide receiver Vincent Jackson (2012), and the injury-related retirements of linemen Kris Dielman and Marcus McNeill.
The defense also was inconsistent under first-year coordinator John Pagano. It held six opponents to 17 points or fewer, but also allowed six to score 27 or more, including three that scored at least 30 (two other clubs reached the 30-point plateau, but did so via a pair of touchdown returns). The unit had 11 sacks against the Jets and five against the Ravens, but in six other games it was limited to one or no sacks.
Many of the core players will be back -- safety Eric Weddle, QB Philip Rivers, wide receiver Malcom Floyd, center Nick Hardwick, defensive linemen Corey Liuget, Kendall Reyes, and linebacker Donald Butler -- but there also will be an infusion of new faces, particularly along the offensive line and in the secondary.
Although the team isn't a handful of savvy personnel moves from challenging for the division, the likelihood of the Chargers overtaking the Broncos in the AFC West is slim. Departing coach Norv Turner said at his exit news conference that the team would not make the playoffs in 2013. It might be one of the few correct calls he made in his final years in San Diego.
2013 schedule (All times ET)
Sept. 9 HOUSTON, 8:20
Sept. 15 at Philadelphia, 1
Sept. 22 at Tennessee, 1
Sept. 29 DALLAS, 4:25
Oct. 6 at Oakland, 4:25
Oct. 14 INDIANAPOLIS, 8:40
Oct. 20 at Jacksonville, 1
Oct. 27 Bye
Nov. 3 at Washington, 1
Nov. 10 DENVER, 4:25
Nov. 17 at Miami, 1
Nov. 24 at Kansas City, 1
Dec. 1 CINCINNATI, 4:25
Dec. 8 N.Y. GIANTS, 4:25
Dec. 12 at Denver, 8:25
Dec. 22 OAKLAND, 4:25
Dec. 29 KANSAS CITY, 4:25
Pick: San Diego made some solid offseason moves and I feel they have a shot at 8 wins. So i look for them to go Over 7.5 wins in 2013, but I don't feel they will make the playoffs.
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