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2016 Super Bowl Predictions: Detroit Lions or San Diego Chargers?

By Dan Salem

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Are the Detroit Lions or San Diego Chargers more likely to win the 2016 Super Bowl? We’re taking the debate cross conference, because its never too early for 2016 Super Bowl predictions. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Check out more of the brothers in Seesaw Sports Debate on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

Who is more likely to win this season’s Super Bowl title, the San Diego Chargers or the Detroit Lions? That’s right, we’re going cross-conference with this one!

Sure, it’s possible that these two teams could actually meet for the championship, but only one of them can win it. Who do you like more?

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Both squads are in similar places, coming off of similar seasons. They each have a quarterback who dominates the headlines. San Diego is probably carried even more by its quarterback than Detroit is. Matthew Stafford is good and has a great arm, but he also has a lot more help in terms of skill-position talent compared to Philip Rivers.

What separated the two last season were the defenses. The Chargers had a mediocre unit, and the Lions were elite on the defensive side thanks to their fearsome front four.

That advantage may be gone this season. Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley are both gone from the Lions’ line. Haloti Ngata is in, but he isn’t the blue-chip player he used to be. If the rush up front doesn’t wreak havoc, the entire defense could appear suddenly ordinary. That worries me if I’m a Lions fan.

The Chargers could be moving in the opposite direction, although a lot may depend on getting production out of their rookies. I like San Diego a bit more in this comparison. I think Detroit takes a step back on both sides of the football in 2015.

Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback

Philip Rivers

(17) warms up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

DAN:

Both the Lions and Chargers are fun teams to root for, and both have serious shots at success in 2015 behind their star quarterbacks. But since we’re pitting football teams from opposite conferences against one another, strength of schedule must come into play.

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Last season was a resounding success for the Detroit Lions. Outside of winning their division, finishing with eleven wins was outstanding. San Diego also finished with a winning record, but failed to make the playoffs. The NFC was a much stronger conference at the top, while the AFC was crowded in the middle. The league is looking very similar in the new season, making the Lions’ road to a championship that much tougher than San Diego’s.

The Chargers must face the Lions and their division rivals, but they also get Jacksonville, Cleveland, Oakland, and Miami. Detroit instead plays Seattle, Philadelphia, Arizona, and an extra game with the Packers. But enough about schedules. Even if Detroit takes the step back that you predict, they are a playoff team in 2015 along with the Chargers.

Philip Rivers will be playing with a chip on his shoulder, after trade rumors swirled throughout the offseason. This edge will serve his Chargers well down the stretch. But not well enough. I’m taking the Detroit Lions as the more likely Super Bowl champion. Detroit will have faced a number of NFC playoff teams throughout the regular season, already knowing how to beat them come playoff time. Out west, the Chargers will be treading new ground against the NFL’s best signal callers in the playoffs. Plus Calvin Johnson.

Johnson gives Detroit a major edge, especially in the Super Bowl. If their opposition dares to double team him, then watch out as Golden Tate will shred the defense. That combo is dangerous. Too dangerous when compared to the aging stars in San Diego.

Dan Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also Lead Editor, Staff Writer, and Featured Vlogger at BuzzChomp, and a New York Jets Analyst for Pro Football Spot. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Instagram.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also a Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp, a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report, and an Analyst for Tipster Labs, among others. Follow him on Twitter.

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