San Diego Chargers Tickets

The San Diego Chargers appeared to be heading home instead of the playoffs with just a handful of games remaining in the 2008 season, but a last minute winning streak combined with a choke job from the Denver Broncos helped them sneak into the postseason.

Once there, the Chargers weren't afraid to do some damage, knocking off the Indianapolis Colts before being eliminated themselves by the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

San Diego returns in 2009 hoping to get off to a much better start and build momentum throughout the season.

They welcome back star running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who struggled through injuries all of last year and was mostly ineffective. They are hopeful he isn't past his peak and will rebound with a big season.

Even more exciting than the possibility of Tomlinson healing is the return of defensive end Shawne Merriman, one of the top players in the NFL. Without Merriman, quarterbacks had little to fear last season. That's about to change in 2009.

The Chargers will have to overcome a tough schedule outside of the soft teams they will get six games against as a member of the AFC West.

San Diego will have to take on the AFC North and the NFC East, although they will get Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington at home. It's always tough for an East Coast team to fly all the way to the Pacific Ocean and fly home with a victory.

The Chargers also have to face the Dolphins at home and the Titans on the road, both of which were playoff teams in 2008.