Chargers 2006 Season Record Prediction

Finishing 9-7 and missing the playoffs last year may have been a blessing in disguise for the Chargers. As a result of coming in third in the AFC West, The Chargers play in the toughest division in football, with three playoff contending teams in it. A split between the Broncos and Chiefs would put them right at 2-2 and if they can sweep the Raiders, you are looking at 4-2 in the division. Let's take a look at the schedule and try to guess how it will all play out:

Sep 11 @ Oakland W

There really is no reason to expect anything else but a win in this game. Marty's track record against the Raiders is crazy.

Sep 17 Tennessee W

This is a good win to have. Coming home to San Diego, the Chargers will put on a show for the fans and light the Titans up.

Week 3 BYE

I don't think having bye week come in week 3 is a good thing. This team needs to start fast and this bye messes with momentum.

Oct 1 @ Baltimore L

Very tough team. They have enough playmakers on defense to cover the Chargers. It will be up to Rivers to beat this defense, and that may be asking too much.

Oct 8 Pittsburgh W

Another tough team with playmakers on Defense. However, using the lessons learned from the previous week, and with Rivers vs. Big Ben on the marquee, the Chargers pull off the win.

Oct 15 @ San Francisco W

Easy win. Alex Smith, a San Diego native, gets to met Shawne Merriman, a Maryland native. What does this mean? Not much, other lots of 'Lights Out!' dances.

Oct 22 @ Kansas City L

Starting @ Arrowhead for the first time will be an experience for Rivers. But its one place he will have to get used to. Larry Johnson, still fresh, wins the game on the ground.

Oct 29 St. Louis W

The Chargers are one of the few teams that can shut down Steven Jackson this year. 'The Predator' will have a big year, but not on this week.

Nov 5 Cleveland W

The Chargers will show the Browns how to run the 3-4. The Browns take notes. San Diego native Kellen Winslow Jr. comes home but is shut down.

Nov 12 @ Cincinnati L

Palmer shreds an otherwise solid Chargers secondary. The Bengals won't run on the Chargers, but they won't have to. Cinci wins in a shootout.

Nov 19 @ Denver L

Tough loss at Cincinnati and then the Chargers have to go to Invesco Field. The Broncos always play the Chargers tough, and hand them a close loss.

Nov 26 Oakland W

The closest thing to a guaranteed victory on the schedule. Chargers destroy the Raiders at home.

Dec 3 @ Buffalo W

The Chargers D shuts down the Buffalo run game, and makes JP Losman want to quit football altogether.

Dec 10 Denver W

Broncos lose to the Chargers in a blow out. They will use the lessons they learned from their first meeting and combine that with the momentum of wins they have gained, and destroy Denver.

Dec 17 Kansas City W

Close game, Larry Johnson is a handful. But he is held to 98 yards and the Chargers remain the best run D in the league.

Dec 24 @ Seattle W

This is an important win as it could decide the division. The Chargers will need the last 2 wins to finish 12-4 and take the AFC West crown.

Dec 31 Arizona W

The Chargers cannot afford to rest their starters because the AFC West Championship is on the line between them and Denver. So the Chargers hand it to the Cards, who can't run the ball at all and cant protect their QB from all of the pass rushers.

In my view, I can see 4 maybe 5 potential losses on the schedule. The Chargers really are this good. A 12-4 finish, even with Rivers at the helm, is well within reach. Having a punishing defense, the best player in football, and a head coach who knows how to win games can carry a team a long way.