One dark horse NFL team for every division

Aug 30, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett (15) against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Texans defeated the Saints 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

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Aug 29, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks back at running back Melvin Gordon (not pictured) in a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

AFC West: San Diego Chargers

When looking at the AFC West, it often seems as if we forget about the San Diego Chargers every season. The Denver Broncos rightfully get most of the attention, and the Kansas City Chiefs are usually the team assumed to give them the most trouble.

The Chargers are an intriguing dark horse though, and possibly the best challenger to the Broncos’ stranglehold on the AFC West title.

While I’m not as enthusiastic as my co-host on the Garda & Griffin NFL Podcast, I do share his thought that the Chargers could very well be trouble for the Broncos.

This is a team which helped its offensive line quite a bit by adding former Bronco Orlando Franklin on the right side of the line as guard. Putting him next to King Dunlap on the left side creates an excellent combination which should help center Chris Watt improve on his rookie season. Hopefully, this will also have a positive effect on the right side if the line where Johnnie Troutman and D.J. Fluker struggled last season.

If the line improves the way it has the potential to, this offense could be fantastic. Keenan Allen and Malcom Floyd should have bounce-back seasons, while rookie Melvin Gordon joins a solid backfield of Danny Woodhead and Branden Oliver.

Quarterback Philip Rivers has more weapons than he’s ever had and in his third year in head coach Mike McCoy’s offense, could have one of his best years ever.

If there is a concern, it could be the defense. Melvin Ingram has struggled since being selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He’s been playing overweight, which has hurt his health. This offeason he dropped 20 pounds according to the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Michael Gehlken, in the hopes that he will stay healthier and put up numbers even better than his rookie season.

Along with him, they need some big contributions from second-year cornerback Jason Verrett, defensive tackle Corey Luiget and hopefully second round linebacker pick Denzel Perryman.

The Chargers are always a thorn in the side of the Denver Broncos, but this year it certainly seems like they could be a thorn in the side of the whole AFC.

Next: NFC East: New York Giants

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