Jim Nantz is one of the more accomplished and tenured sportscasters in the nation.
He has been at CBS since the 1980s, where he has covered multiple sports, but he is perhaps best known as the network’s top play-by-play man for its NFL coverage.
His many years of experience in that role have given him tremendous insight into what happens around the league.
While on a press call this week, Nantz said that he is picking the Los Angeles Chargers as his “sleeper” team this season.
Jim Nantz of CBS Sports says on press call that his sleeper pick for the year is…. the LA @chargers. #NFL #Chargers #AFCWest
— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) August 30, 2022
The Chargers may not be a true “sleeper” team, but they definitely have a shot at winning the Super Bowl this winter.
More And More People Around The NFL Like The Chargers’ Chances
Last season, despite a potent team on the offensive side of the ball, Los Angeles barely missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record.
If it hasn’t been for a couple of miscues in Week 18 versus the Las Vegas Raiders by head coach Brandon Staley, the Bolts would’ve likely taken on the Cincinnati Bengals in the wild-card round of the postseason.
The team starts and ends with quarterback Justin Herbert, who is one of the league’s truly elite signal-callers and an old-fashioned gunslinger.
Eons ago, the Chargers revolutionized the NFL with run-and-gun coaches such as Sid Gillman and the late Don Coryell, who possessed run-and-gun QBs such as John Hadl and Dan Fouts, and Herbert seems to fit within that mold.
Literally just stopping by to post Justin Herbert highlights ⚡️
I can't wait for Week 1.
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/GJmYxRqRCA
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) August 24, 2022
Herbert has weapons such as dual-threat running back Austin Ekeler and wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams he can depend on each week.
Last season, L.A. finished fifth in total yards, fifth in passing touchdowns, fourth in points scored and second in passing yards.
The team is also hoping newcomer Gerald Everett will become a legitimate passing threat at tight end, something it needs with Jared Cook, last year’s TE1, not on the roster.
The Defense Is Supercharged
Last season, the Chargers had problems stopping teams, and their run defense was particularly bad.
To that end, they picked up defensive tackles Austin Jackson and Sebastian Joseph-Day, and J.C. Jackson, a Pro Bowl cornerback, was brought in to bolster their secondary.
Los Angeles also traded for pass rusher Khalil Mack, a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro First-Team selection, to give Joey Bosa some help up front.
If all these pieces come together, the Chargers could end up having a killer defense this season.
The Big Concern
J.C. Jackson, whom Chargers fans have been excited about, recently underwent ankle surgery and could miss up to the next three weeks.
This will be a major problem, as L.A. starts the season on Sept. 11 versus the Raiders, and it will then take on the Kansas City Chiefs just four days later.
The Raiders now have Davante Adams, whom many consider the best wideout in football, and he could be a real thorn on the Chargers’ side in Week 1.
How L.A. does in its first two games will reveal a good deal about how it will do the rest of the way, especially without its new defensive ace in the backfield.
NEXT: Former NFL Player Says Justin Herbert Is Better Than 1 Legend