Southern California SunTeam synopsis: Southern California is coached by Jim Reilly and are coming off of a 10-6 season in 2010. Recently Jim was very pleased that incumbent Quarterback Carson Palmer came out of retirement. Palmer is a two time Pro-Bowl Quarterback and he has a great target in So Cal Wide Receiver Roddy White. On Defense it's a solid unit for the Sun with LB D.J. Williams and a tough inside unit led by Julius Peppers and Darnell Dockett. The Sun look to be solid again in 2011 but it may be difficult for them to match last seasons mark of ten wins.
From a season low point 2-8 record Southern California rallied somewhat to finish with a 5-11 mark. The Sun had eight losses decided by 8 points or less. Previously I had cautioned that this is a team that could surprise if they got a few good bounces. In their last 6 games SoCal knocked one team out of the playoffs and also had a win against a playoff team. One creed that Southern California lived by was that they were not going to go down with their guns still in the holster. Quarterback Carson Palmer averaged more than 36 passes per game in the Sun offense. Carson has 18 TD's but 24 picks was the high cost of the Sun's aerial assault. Halfback Jonathan Stewart tallied an impressive 1580 yards rushing and accounted for 12 touchdowns. Fellow HB Jahvid Best proved to be a capable backup as he contributed with seven touchdowns of his own. Wide receiver Roddy White is the big threat for Southern Cal on the outside with 61 catches and 870 yards leading the team. Kellen Winslow Jr. proved to be a good possession receiver as he pulled in 54 receptions. So Cal has given their opponents too good of starting field positions and the culprit has often been the turnover. The Sun was minus 9 in Takeaway/Giveaways turning it over 36 times the worst in the Frozen Tundra. On defense Julius Peppers had 5 sacks and Free Safety Kerry Rhodes tied for the league lead with 7 interceptions, taking two picks back for touchdowns. Southern California has enough pieces where they could make a jump in the standings next year by adding just a few key pieces. Sun offensive leaders:
| PASSING | ATT. | COMP. | T.D. | INT. | RTG. |
| Carson Palmer | 579 | 293 | 18 | 24 | 60.7 |
| RUSHING | ATT. | YDS. | AVG. | LONG | T.D. |
| Jonathan Stewart | 320 | 1580 | 4.9 | 48 | 7 |
| RECEIVING | REC. | YDS. | AVG. | LONG | T.D. |
| Roddy White | 61 | 870 | 14.3 | 46 | 4 |
San Diego Chargers
Team synopsis: San Diego is coached by Paul Mankiewicz. Coming off an 8-8 season in 2010 the Chargers have a bevy of threats in their backfield, led by Arian Foster, Tim Hightower and the versatile Darren Sproles. The offense isn't just limited to a running game as the strong arm of Eli Manning has some nice targets in receivers Dez Bryant and Fred Davis. There are some top notch veterans on Defense. Vince Wolfork, James Harrison and Adrian Wilson all provide difficult match-ups for any offense. The Chargers are a deep team on both sides of the ball and have the capacity to win against any team in the league.San Diego at one time had an 11-1 record, but lost three of their last 4 games and head into the playoffs as the number 5 seed. Quarterback Eli Manning guided the offense well all season until stumbling down the stretch. In those three late season losses Manning threw 5 Int's.and just 2 T.D.'s. Meanwhile as Manning floundered HB Arian Foster took over. Foster finished with a flourish to eclipse the 2000 rushing mark. In a late season game against St.Louis Foster was a one man wrecking crew rushing for 249 yards including a 74 yard dash. Tight End Chris Cooley was terrific, leading the 'Bolts. in receptions and touchdowns and along with WR Lee Evans they been instrumental in helping San Diego keep the chains moving on offense. The special teams feature the Bryant brothers. Kicker Matt Bryant connected on over 90% of his FG's, while Dez Bryant had four Punt Returns for touchdowns. The Chargers defense allowed the third fewest points in the Frozen Tundra. Linebacker James Harrison had 9 sacks to lead the team in that category. Asante Samuel picked off six passes and had one interception return for a touchdown. If Manning can regain his early season consistency San Diego has a realistic shot in this years playoffs. Chargers offensive leaders:
| PASSING | ATT. | COMP. | T.D. | INT. | RTG. |
| Eli Manning | 487 | 253 | 16 | 12 | 69.9 |
| RUSHING | ATT. | YDS. | AVG. | LONG | T.D. |
| Arian Foster | 392 | 2065 | 5.3 | 74 | 17 |
| RECEIVING | REC. | YDS. | AVG. | LONG | T.D. |
| Chris Cooley | 67 | 650 | 9.7 | 35 | 5 |
