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AFC West Preview: Los Angeles Chargers will contend again

By Ellen Mathis

CARSON, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after a short run in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at StubHub Center on November 25, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after a short run in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at StubHub Center on November 25, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 13: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on prior to the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 13: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on prior to the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Key Questions

The key question as the Chargers enter this season is whether they can win the AFC West. The Chargers tied the record of the Chiefs last season and after winning in the wild card round of the playoffs, lost in an embarrassing fashion to the Patriots.

The Chargers are a very well-rounded team with playmakers on both sides of the ball. Rivers is a Hall of Fame quarterback, but will Father Time come knocking this year? Will the distraction of Melvin Gordon‘s holdout be seen on the field? What other injuries will the Chargers suffer? All these questions linger as the Chargers look to try and unseat the reigning champs of the AFC West and bring Rivers his ring.

As I look at the Chargers, I personally see the loss of Derwin James as a huge injury. James pushed the Chargers to win close games. If the Chargers can’t win those close games, then they are not in contention. However, if other players can step up, maybe they prove to be a great team. I certainly believe the Chargers will be sitting in a Wild Card spot come playoff time, but I don’t see them unseating the Chiefs from the AFC West throne.

The Chiefs and the Chargers play in Mexico in primetime and I believe that game will likely end in a Chiefs loss. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling. The next time the Chiefs and Chargers face off is the last game of the season—in my opinion, it is going one of two ways: the teams are either battling to win the AFC West or the game is completely meaningless and Patrick Mahomes doesn’t play. I don’t know which I would prefer, but I do know that the Chiefs-Chargers matchups are sure to be entertaining.

dark. Next. Scouting the AFC West: Oakland Raiders

The Chargers kick their season off against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon at 3:05 p.m.

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