The Chargers could be a better team this year but with a worse record.

A surprising 12-4 a year ago, San Diego was 2-5 against teams with winning records and 1-5 against playoff teams. This season they must travel to the East Coast four times, including trips to face both defending Super Bowl teams as well as the Indianapolis Colts.

That's not the kind of schedule that makes for 12-4 finishes. San Diego does have all 22 starters back, however, from an offense that finished third in scoring and a defense that was third against the run. That's a solid foundation for defending the division title even with a more difficult slate of games.

But was last season the coming out of Drew Brees or a mirage? Brees entered 2004 in danger of being traded or cut and ended it as the team's franchise player after completing 65.5 percent of his throws for 3,159 yards and 27 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. He worked hard in the offseason studying defenses and improving his arm strength and mental outlook. That led to a 104.8 quarterback efficiency rating when a year earlier it was a dismal 67.5. Yet can anyone expect Brees to repeat his red-zone performance of a year ago, when he delivered 20 touchdown passes and only one interception? As long as he's throwing to massive tight end Antonio Gates, why not? The Chargers were the best in the league in the red zone, scoring touchdowns 69.8 percent of the time. If they backslide, what happens?

Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips did his usual remarkable job in his first season taking over a new team. San Diego improved in every defensive category and in some areas made remarkable leaps like going from 25th to 3rd in the league in rushing defense, from 31st to 11th in points allowed and 29th to 10th in third down efficiency.

Still, after winning only 12 games in the previous two seasons, the jump to 12-4 last year will remain something they'll have to duplicate before all the doubters are satisfied that the Chargers are for real.

HOT SEAT: Shawne Merriman. The draft's 12th overall pick held out too long and has yet to make an impact, which didn't set well with Chargers fans or coach Marty Schottenheimer, who are all hoping he's the answer to their non-existent pass rush of a year ago. San Diego produced only 29 sacks, 30th in the NFL, and believe if they can bring the heat they can get to the Super Bowl. Merriman is being looked upon as the player to do it. The plan is to team him with Steve Foley, who had 10 sacks a year ago, to give them two edge rushers with speed and athleticism. If Merriman doesn't deliver, life will be a beach at the beach for him.

OVERHEARD: Brees knows that for all his success of a year ago, he's still only working off a one-year contract. Two years ago he threw for only 2,108 yards and had more interceptions (15) than touchdown passes (11). Any serious slippage in that direction and he's on the next train out of town because second-year pro Philip Rivers isn't being paid $50.5 million over the life of his rookie contract to hand Brees suggestions.

The pressure is on Brees again this year.

To the hilt.

OUTLOOK: This should be a team on the rise because they're young and improving, but did they blossom too soon? Brees still has to show last season wasn't an aberration and the offense has to diversify or LaDainian Tomlinson is likely to fall apart but if they can handle a tougher schedule they'll be in the hunt to the end.

PREDICTION: Third.

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