Looking at the Chargers: The Panthers First Game

The Panthers will get a test right off the bat in 2008-’09. Carolina is slated to play the San Diego Chargers on the road in sunny San Diego for their first game of the season, on September 7th. As you are probably well aware, the Chargers are supposed to be the best team in the AFC West, and are one of only a handful that look like possible Super Bowl winners right away. Let’s take a look at the Chargers to see what the Panthers are up against.

Last season the Chargers went 11-5, went to the playoffs, and then came alive, beating the Titans, the Colts, and then coming about as close as anybody up until that point at beating the Patriots. They eventually lost to New England 12-21, but by that point LT couldn’t even walk. Needless to say, they were a pretty scary team last season, and not much has changed. They still have LaDainian Tomlinson leading the “charge” from the backfield. If you play fantasy football you know that LT is slated by most draft guides to be the No. 1 rusher this season. He could basically run the show himself, but they also have a streaky Rivers at quarterback who only needs occasional acts of competence to make sure the defense doesn’t pack the line. They finished 2007 ranked 5th in total offense.

On defense the Chargers were 5th overall in keeping their opponents from scoring. While Shawne Merriman gets a lot of the hype, they also have a superb defensive line and a solid secondary, so there’s no real weakness on defense. Overall, this will be a tough draw for the Panthers.

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