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QB Philip Rivers gutted out a playoff game with a torn ACL. Is he ready to go in 2008?

EXPERTS' PICKS

The Chargers finished first in the AFC West last season with an 11-5 record. For AFC West coverage, visit Bill Williamson's AFC West blog. | Discuss Chargers | MAG preview

ANALYST	PREDICTION
Jeffri Chadiha ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  They might have reached the Super Bowl if injuries hadn't caught up with their stars (quarterback Philip Rivers, running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates) in the AFC Championship Game. If they avoid those health woes, they're the team to beat.
John Clayton ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  The Chargers have the second-easiest schedule in the league and one of the most talented teams in the league. That could translate into a 13- or 14-win season and homefield edge in the playoffs.
Tim Graham ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  As long as LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates are on the field, the Chargers are dominant in the division. But the Chargers won't get unlimited chances to reach the Super Bowl.
Jeremy Green Scouts Inc.	DIVISION FINISH: 1  On paper, I think the Chargers are the best in the NFL. They are loaded on both sides of the ball and have great depth. However, for them to take the next step, QB Philip Rivers has to become more consistent, TE Antonio Gates must get healthy and Chris Chambers must become a No. 1 WR.
Paul Kuharsky ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  They won't miss Michael Turner much. As sure to win this division as New England is to win the East. It's time to jump all the way through their window.
Matt Mosley ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  If everyone can stay healthy, the Chargers should challenge for the AFC title again. Norv Turner got off to a rocky start, but now players are buying into his offensive philosophy. He needs to keep LT fresh so he doesn't wear down in the playoffs.
Mike Sando ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  Beating the Colts in Indianapolis last season was huge. The Chargers probably would have won in New England had Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates been healthy.
Kevin Seifert ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  Provided Philip Rivers recovers fully from knee surgery, the Chargers are on the short list for the AFC championship. One question: Can their defense stop the Patriots and/or Jaguars?
James Walker ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  Barring major injuries, the Chargers should cruise in this division. The "Super Chargers" are super deep and primed to be a Super Bowl contender.
Seth Wickersham ESPN The Magazine	DIVISION FINISH: 1  All that's left is beating the Patriots and reaching the Super Bowl. Having picked off Tom Brady six times in two playoff losses, the Chargers have to like their chances.
Bill Williamson ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  There is no team in the NFL that is this far superior to the other three teams in its division as San Diego is. The Chargers could win this division by five or six games. It would be a complete shocker if they don't win the division.
Matt Williamson Scouts Inc.	DIVISION FINISH: 1  Catastrophe would have to strike to keep the Chargers from winning the West. Even with injury concerns to major players entering the season, San Diego should have little problem getting double-digit wins. Expect the Chargers to end up with a first-round bye.
Pat Yasinskas ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  This team is loaded, and this could be the year the Chargers get by the Colts and Patriots. LaDainian Tomlinson has to stay on the field every game (regular season and postseason) for that to happen.
	CONSENSUS DIVISION FINISH: 1 | NFL standings

BEST OF THE CHARGERS

Best offensive player: This isn't an easy call, but it has to be running back LaDainian Tomlinson. He is still the premier running back in the NFL, and he's the star of this talented team.

Best defensive player: Shawne Merriman. The pass-rushing linebacker makes the Chargers' defense special. He is a playmaker and an emotional leader of this unit.

Best leader: Quarterback Philip Rivers. He is tough, smart and vocal. Rivers' teammates love him. His gutty play in the AFC title game despite a torn ACL was a thing of legend.

Best boss: General manager A.J. Smith. He is one of the best in the business. The Chargers have arguably the best roster in football, and it's because of Smith's handiwork.

Best chemistry: Everyone. This team is tight. The stars on the team don't appear to have huge egos, and the Chargers seem focused on getting to the Super Bowl as one.

-- Bill Williamson, ESPN.com

SCOUTS INC.'S FAB FIVE

Scouts Inc. has evaluated and graded more than 2,400 NFL players heading into the 2008 season, giving Insiders a leg up on the competition with exclusive grades, alerts and scouting reports.
Top five players	ANALYSIS
1. LaDainian Tomlinson Running back 5-10 | 221	(Grade 94) He is a future Hall of Fame running back, and is still among the elite players in the NFL. He does it all and does it all very well. He has a great combination of balance, explosion, power and pure speed.
1. Shawne Merriman Linebacker 6-4 | 272	(94) He is an elite up-field player, but is also effective playing in coverage in short zones or turning his hips to run with backs or tight ends. He competes on every snap, shows a tremendous motor and works hard.
3. Antonio Gates Tight end 6-4 | 260	(93) He is explosive and possesses elite body control. Gates can be used in a variety of ways, and excels when split out wide or used in motion. His routes are sharp and his ball skills are impeccable. He's a quarterback's dream.
4. Antonio Cromartie Cornerback 6-2 | 203	(90) He has tremendous size with very long arms and big, sticky hands. He is well-proportioned and extremely athletic. Athletically, few compare. Cromartie will soon be the best cornerback in the league.
5. Marcus McNeill Offensive tackle 6-7 | 336	(84) He has tremendous size and rare agility for such a huge player. McNeill often makes his job look easy, which is amazing for a left tackle going into his third season. He is a natural knee-bender.
Player grading scale: Elite (90-100), outstanding (80-89), solid starter (75-79), good starter (70-74)

SCOUTS INC.'S ANALYSIS

Best play option Everyone knows LB Shawne Merriman is a sack machine. Here's how he gets to the quarterback so frequently. More best plays

Strengths

Playmakers: No offense to New England, Dallas or Indianapolis, but the Chargers probably have the best roster in the league. They obviously have high-end superstars in RB LaDainian Tomlinson, LB Shawne Merriman and TE Antonio Gates, but they are also very deep and should walk through the AFC West even if one of their stars goes down.

Running back: Tomlinson might be starting to show a tiny decline, but he is still firmly entrenched as one of the top running backs and is already an all-time great. He is a nightmare to game-plan against. With a cupcake schedule this year, Tomlinson will put together another monster season.

Fierce defense: Jamal Williams, Luis Castillo and Igor Olshansky make up a powerful and effective three-man front. Merriman is the prototype 3-4 outside linebacker, and Shaun Phillips is an excellent complement on the other side. Inside, the Chargers are deep. Antonio Cromartie, Quentin Jammer and first-round pick Antoine Cason should comprise one of the best groups of corners in the league, while Eric Weddle is an up-and-comer at safety. This defense is exceptional, and Ted Cottrell finally realized how to use this talent as last season went along.

Weaknesses

Recovery: The Chargers have prominent members of their organization coming off of injuries. The list includes QB Philip Rivers, Tomlinson and, most worrisome, Gates. WRs Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson stepped up while Gates was injured, but few players in the league create mismatches like the former Kent State hoopster. Only Randy Moss and Terrell Owens have caught more touchdown passes since 2004 than Gates. The offensive line also struggled without C Nick Hardwick last year, and he will again be missing when the season begins.

Quarterback: The two teams standing in San Diego's path to AFC dominance and the Super Bowl have all-time great quarterbacks (P. Manning, Brady) leading their teams. San Diego does not. Rivers is coming off a serious knee injury, and it could take time before he is confident in the pocket. He already struggles in the face of a heavy rush.

RB depth: Michael Turner is now the lead back in Atlanta, and for the first time in the last few years, Tomlinson does not have a proven player behind him to relieve him of carries and fill in should he go down. San Diego traded up to select Jacob Hester, but he is nowhere near the rushing threat that Turner is.

-- Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles.