Eric D. Williams, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Chargers will rely more heavily on Keenan Allen this season

COSTA MESA, Calif. -- For the Los Angeles Chargers to contend for the playoffs this season here are the five players who can help make that happen:

Keenan Allen, WR: The engine for the Chargers' offense last season was Allen, who finished with career highs in receptions (102) and receiving yards (1,393). In the final stretch of 2017, when the Chargers won nine of their final 12 games, Allen recorded five 100-yard receiving games and had five total touchdowns. During a three-game period from Week 11 to Week 13, Allen became the first player in NFL history to record 10-plus catches, more than 100 receiving yards and at least one touchdown in three consecutive games. Allen finished with 33 catches for 436 receiving yards and four touchdowns in wins over the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns. With tight end Hunter Henry out for the year after suffering a season-ending knee injury during offseason work, the Chargers will rely even more on Allen to make things happen in critical situations, such as on third down and in the red zone.

Philip Rivers, QB: One thing the Chargers can rely on from Rivers is his availability: He has not missed a game since taking over as the team's starter in 2006. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn would like to see a repeat performance of Rivers' 2017, with an emphasis on curbing turnovers in big games. Rivers finished with just 10 interceptions in 2017, the fewest he has had in a season since 2009. However, six of those 10 interceptions came against the Kansas City Chiefs -- both losses -- so Rivers has to be more efficient against last year's AFC West champs. Rivers has one of the best defenses in the NFL to lean on, so the veteran quarterback just has to continue to do an efficient job of moving the chains, limiting mistakes and making the opposing team beat him.

Mike Pouncey, C: The Chargers did a good job protecting Rivers last season, giving up a league-low 18 sacks. The addition of Pouncey should pay big dividends in the running game, helping to spring loose Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler on a more regular basis. The Chargers averaged just 3.81 yards per carry last season, No. 26 in the NFL. With the athletic Pouncey at center, look for the Chargers to pull and move their three interior linemen more in the run game, creating defined reads for Gordon. One area the Chargers should try to get to more often is the perimeter. Gordon averaged 6 yards per carry on runs outside the tackle box last season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Pouncey should provide an experienced anchor for the offensive line, which gives the Chargers a grittier edge up front.

Joey Bosa, DE: Selected No. 3 overall out of Ohio State two years ago, Bosa has lived up to his draft status. Bosa made the Pro Bowl for the first time last year, leading the Chargers with 12.5 sacks. Bosa also recorded 70 tackles and four forced fumbles. Bosa's 23 sacks since 2016 is No. 4 in the NFL. Paired on the defensive line with talented edge rusher Melvin Ingram, the Chargers have perhaps the best pass-rushing tandem in the NFL, providing the backbone for one of the stingiest pass defenses in the league.

Denzel Perryman, LB: One of the team leaders on defense, Perryman could be the key to the team's improved run defense in 2018. The Chargers allowed 142 rushing yards per contest in games Perryman did not play last season, and held teams to 117 rushing yards per contest in the seven games the Miami product was healthy. While effective when on the field, Perryman has yet to play a full 16-game season in three years as a pro. A second-round selection by the Chargers in the 2015 draft, Perryman has missed 15 of a possible 48 games due to injury. Perryman will make a little more than $1 million in the final year of his rookie deal in 2018, and the Chargers should consider locking him up to a long-term contract if the middle linebacker can stay healthy for a full season.

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