The Chargers were one of the league’s biggest stories in 2004, going from last to first in an incredible eight game turnaround. The list of accomplishments is long and distinguished, as the season included among other things, Comeback Player of the Year honors and MVP consideration for QB Drew Brees, Coach of the Year acknowledgement for Marty Schottenheimer, an eight game winning streak, and a league best 13-3-1 ATS record. Unfortunately, it all came crashing down in an unexpected first round playoff loss at home to the Jets. That game took some of the luster off the otherwise amazing campaign, but not enough to offset all that went right. Brees was incredible, going from lameduck starter to 27 TD’s against just 7 interceptions. RB LaDanian Tomlinson piled up nearly 1,800 yards of offense, and the defense went from 31st in the league in points allowed to 11th.

The success of Brees was a feather in the cap for this organization after choosing to trade top pick QB Eli Manning in last spring’s NFL draft. Eventual first round pick QB Phillip Rivers never got a chance to show what he could do, and after signing a one-year franchise tender, Brees is again being counted on as the leader in 2005. Having received many such unexpected contributions last season, the Chargers really didn’t pursue the free agent market vigorously. The April draft figures to have the biggest impact, as San Diego used both of its first round picks on defense, selecting LB Shawne Merriman of Maryland and DT Luis Castillo of Northwestern.

There are some chinks in the armor that signify that San Diego would be extremely fortunate to match its 2004 success this season. First off, the Chargers benefited greatly from turnovers, finishing 2nd in the NFL in differential. Also, the defense had a lot of trouble against the pass, ranking 31st out of 32 teams, and finally, momentum is a difficult thing to recreate, and this team lost a lot of that in the playoff defeat. In the offensive prolific AFC West, don’t be surprised if San Diego comes back down to earth this season.

2005 Key Information

StatFox Power Rating: 14(26 of 32)

2005 Schedule Rating: (7 toughest of 32)

2004:(SU 12-5)(ATS 13-3-1)

L3 years:(SU 24-25)(ATS 28-20-1)

Coach MartySchottenheimer:(SU 24-25) (ATS 28-20-1)

Trends by month

September

San Diego starts year after 1st winning season since 1994 (9/11)

Chargers are 9-1 ATS as visitor playing into revenge in Sept. (9/18)

Bolts are just 17-33 ATS at home after AFC West contest (9/25)

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October

San Diego is 1-9-1 ATS vs. Steelers, including 0-3 home (10/10)

Chargers are 11-3 vs. the number at Oakland (10/16)

Bolts are 2-6-1 ATS vs. Non-Div. foe off win (? 10/23)

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November

San Diego is 0-5 ATS against AFC East (11/6)

Chargers are 4-1 against the spread off bye week (11/20)

Bolts are 55-2-1 ATS when they win away (? 11/27)

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December

San Diego is 6-0 ATS home against team <.500 (? 12/11)

Chargers are 10-1 ATS at Indy (12/18)

Bolts are 1-7 ATS off loss to Chiefs (? 12/31)

Top Teaser Angle:

San Diego is 9-0 vs. 6 pt. teaser when playing team with losing record.

Top Money Line Angle:

San Diego is 6-20 (-16.25 units) against ML after 3 or more ATS losses.

Top Totals Angle:

San Diego is 18-5 UNDER as HF of 3 or less points

Pre-Season O/U wins:

OVER 8 -130 @www.BetCris.com

Fantasy Player Must: LaDainian Tomlinson

Fantasy Player Bust: Keenan McCardell