Kansas City Chiefs: Four positively bold predictions for AFC West

Los Angeles Chargers: Team Goes 11-5, Makes Playoffs

Coach on the hot seat. Second fiddle in its new city. Drafted a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick. Longtime quarterback departed for a new team.

Not exactly a recipe to make the playoffs, is it?

And yet, I can see it happening for the Chargers.

First off, Anthony Lynn is a very good head coach, and he’ll get his team into gear when he can finally do that. And sure, losing Philip Rivers, who was the team’s starting quarterback for the past 80 years (give or take) hurts, but Tyrod Taylor, who’s already spent a year with the team, takes over, and he’s more that competent.

The defense is stout, too, with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on the edges with linebackers Denzel Perryman and rookie Kenneth Murray Jr. covering the middle. The secondary boasts safety Derwin James and corners Chris Harris Jr. and Casey Hayward Jr.

But the season hinges on on Taylor.

His last year as a full-time starter, Taylor led the Bills to the playoffs. His play this season will determine how long Justin Herbert, the former Oregon Duck quarterback the Chargers selected in the first round, rides the pine, but as fans of the defending Super Bowl Champions can attest, it’s not always the worst thing for that young arm to sit for a full season.

I didn’t come up with 11-5 randomly, either. Taking a look at this team’s schedule, I can see them going at least 6-3 before their idle week in Week 10. Week 17, in which the Chargers travel to Kansas City, could very well determine who wins the division.

I’ll go with the Chiefs in that regard, but the Chargers will be right there with them in the postseason.