With the football world speculating loudly about the prospect of the Chargers moving north to Los Angeles, no one will welcome the start of a new season more than the San Diego Chargers.

The team’s inability to win divisional games cost them dearly last year, and they will look to improve on their disappointing 2-4 record in the AFC West in 2015.

The catalyst for this rise in fortunes will be rookie running back Melvin Gordon, a player touted as a future superstar by the organisation. With the addition of Gordon in concurrence with some new talent at wide receiver, will the Chargers return to the postseason in 2015?

2014 Summary

Having reached the divisional round of the playoffs in 2013, Chargers fans would be forgiven for being frustrated in 2014. Having lost their season opener in Arizona, the Chargers embarked upon a five-game winning streak, sparked by the notable scalp of the Seattle Seahawks. However, the Chargers then went a fatal 4-6 for the rest of the season, winning just one out of five games against divisional opponents.

As for the team’s performance, veteran QB Philip Rivers threw for a consistent 4,286 yards and 31 touchdowns, helping to further expand the portfolio of young receiver Keenan Allen, as the second-year man hauled in 77 throws for 783 yards and four touchdowns. In the red zone, the Chargers went to veteran tight end Antonio Gates, who caught 12 touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Chargers did well to limit teams to an average of 338 yards per game, the ninth-best effort in the league. In addition, holding teams to an average of 214 yards per game through the air was good for the fourth-best in the NFL. The Chargers will, however, be looking to improve their run defense, which clocked in as just the 26th best in 2014.

Personnel Changes

With Ryan Mathews leaving town, the already suspect backfield looked even worse. With screen pass extraordinaire Danny Woodhead spending most of 2014 out injured, the tandem of Donald Brown and Branden Oliver was ineffective at moving the ball along the ground. Drafting Melvin Gordon from Wisconsin filled a hole, but not without cost. Sending a fourth and fifth-round draft pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the privilege means the Chargers organisation has a lot invested in Gordon.

Elsewhere, the Chargers added talent out wide as Stevie Johnson and Jacoby Jones arrive in San Diego looking to resurrect their careers somewhat after poor 2014 seasons. Orlando Franklin and Chris Hairston will bolster an offensive line that allowed Rivers to be sacked seven times in their Week 17 clash with the Kansas City Chiefs. There are no defensive acquisitions expected to start.

Team Strengths

Philip Rivers threw for 4,000 yards for the sixth time in his career in 2014 and is as dependable as they come at the QB position. Under a new contract, the Chargers can confidently use Rivers as the linchpin of their offense in 2015. With Gordon, Woodhead and Oliver at the running back position the Chargers have the tools to create an effective running game in 2015, conditional on the health of the backs themselves. The retention of Brandon Flowers at corner means the secondary should continue to perform at a high standard, with All-Pro Eric Weddle raising the game of those around him.

Team Weaknesses

The Chargers must improve on the defensive line. Corey Liuget leads a group otherwise devoid of meaningful NFL talent. Sean Lissemore is generally considered undersized for the nose tackle spot and Kendall Reyes was ineffective at best in 2014. The linebackers will be showing a new look in 2015 with Dwight Freeney and Jarret Johnson leaving town. Melvin Ingram and Manti Te’o will look to replicate their late season form in 2015 and Donald Butler will need to raise his game for the new season if he intends on being around for 2016.

Best case

Gordon explodes as a rookie and the Chargers’ new receivers cover the loss of Antonio Gates for the first four weeks of the season (suspended) and the boys from San Diego develop a devastating offense that ravages the AFC West. The secondary is not kind to opposing quarterbacks and the run defense shuts all the holes it needs to. Double-digit wins must be a very real possibility for the San Diego Chargers. 10-6, first or second in AFC West

Worst case

Teams run through the Chargers like soft butter and Melvin Gordon can’t average any more than three yards per carry. Philip Rivers is rusty and can’t win games on his own with a below-average receiving squad, and the Chargers splutter as they leave for Los Angeles. 6-10, third in AFC West

Prediction

I don’t see enough improvement in areas that prevented the Chargers from reaching the playoffs last year, as teams should run through the defense with ease again in 2015. Losing Antonio Gates for the first four games is not helpful and the running game won’t cover the loss. 9-7, second in AFC West