The Los Angeles Chargers experienced a great deal of success in Jim Harbaugh’s first season as head coach in 2024, winning 11 games and making the playoffs.
Sure, the Chargers were bounced from the Wild Card Round in humiliating fashion, but it was still a major step in the right direction for a team that went just 5-12 the campaign prior.
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As a result, there are some hefty expectations for Los Angeles heading into 2025, especially after the Chargers added some much-needed weapons to Justin Herbert’s arsenal over the last several months.
However, Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports dose not seem to be buying the Bolts and is predicting them to finish last in the AFC West. Yes, the same division that includes the lowly Las Vegas Raiders.
“The Chargers finished with the NFL‘s top-scoring defense last year, despite ranking 11th in yards allowed. Red zone defense is notoriously fickle from year to year, so a regression there wouldn’t surprise me,” Pereles wrote. “Add in Rashawn Slater’s season-ending injury, and I think the Chargers end up at the bottom of a competitive AFC West after arriving a year early in 2024.”
The Raiders went just 4-13 last season, so being predicted to finish behind Las Vegas in the standings is brutal, to say the least.
Yes, the Raiders upgraded their quarterback situation by trading for Geno Smith, and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty should add another dimension to the offense. Still, Smith is 34 years old and seems to be declining, and Las Vegas is still severely lacking wide receiver talent beyond Jakobi Meyers.
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Meanwhile, Los Angeles added pieces like Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris, Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith while also reuniting with Keenan Allen. On top of that, first-year tight end Oronde Gadsden II looks like a potential steal.
While it would not be the least bit surprising if the Chargers take a step back this season (especially with such a tough schedule), it does seem difficult to envision them finishing behind the Raiders.
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