After a significant stumble to open the 2017 season, the Los Angeles Chargers finished strong. Thanks to one of the top defenses in the league and Philip Rivers quarterback play, the Chargers won six of their last seven games to finish 9-7.
Will this, head coach Anthony Lynn’s second season in command of the team, be the year the Chargers break back into the playoffs? The oddsmakers at BetDSI Sportsbook obviously feel they have a shot, releasing winning over-under odds. Here they are.
Los Angeles Chargers 2018-19 Regular Season Win Total
Over 9 (-130)
Under 9 (+100)
I’ve made no secret about how poorly I think the Chargers did in their coaching search last season. Anthony Lynn won the award for the worst hire of 2017 by a wide margin. He was, literally, the worst man for the job; a ground and pound Rex Ryan disciple that had never been more than a position coach before he was tossed in as the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator for part of a season after Ryan fired Greg Roman. He then, of course, became the interim head coach once Ryan had finally wore out his welcome.
You don’t match a coach like Lynn with a quarterback like Philip Rivers. Lynn was given a four-year deal and, make no mistake, his asking price probably had a lot to do with him getting this job. Chargers owner Alex Spanos is running out the clock in a soccer stadium until Stan Kroenke’s new facility in Inglewood is finished in 2020.
Who has the better chance to dethrone Tom Brady in 2018:
Philip Rivers or Ben Roethlisberger? 🤔
📺: @gmfb https://t.co/3s1o9HcrU9
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) May 23, 2018
If you look at that six-of-seven stretch last season, it’s plain to see that turning Rivers and the offense loose was the key. He passed for 290 or more yards in five of the six victories. Meanwhile the running game that Lynn is so enamored with produced a 100-plus yard performance just twice.
Has Lynn learned enough over those final two months to actually direct this team? We’ll find out come September. He’s been handed the keys to a loaded roster, with stars all over the offense and defense. Even with Hunter Henry tearing his ACL, L.A. has plenty of weapons in Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, Travis Benjamin and Melvin Gordon. If Mike Williams becomes what he should (and with Lynn coaching, who knows?), they should be four deep at wideout.
Finally, movement on Adrian Peterson. Sources telling me Peterson and LA Charger coach Anthony Lynn set to play golf tomorrow and talk about a role for A.P. with Chargers. QB Phil Rivers has already given his approval, same sources tell me. Expect announcement early next week…
— Shot Doctor (@ShotDoctor969) May 25, 2018
Defensively, Los Angeles was one of the top units in the NFL, with sack machines Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram wreaking havoc. As long as Jason Verrett can stay healthy, they have an elite defensive backfield that only got better with the addition of rookie Derwin James.
I always wrap these up by looking at the team’s schedule. They open with the Chiefs, then play at the Buffalo Bills. Frankly, if those aren’t both victories, Spanos should fire Lynn on the spot. They then look, to me, like they’ll suffer three losses in a row to the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders. That’s a 2-3 start.
Honestly, with a real head coach, I’d go the over. But I simply don’t trust Lynn and his staff in the slightest. The Chargers are a popular pick here in the preseason, but I see a .500 finish at best. I say go with the under.
