As we get closer to the top of the preseason mountain, we’ve got three teams left — the Chargers, Giants, and Patriots.

And since we’ve got a ton of respect for any team that makes it to the Super Bowl, the Chargers end up at No. 3.

This could be the year the Chargers go to the next level; the window of opportunity is about as wide as it will ever be.  Even with the injury to linebacker Shawne Merriman, the Chargers have more raw total talent than any other team in the league.

The key will be to keep as many of them as possible healthy.  Tight end Antonio Gates is still hobbled a bit by a lingering toe problem, quarterback Philip Rivers is still breaking in  a new ACL, and LaDainian Tomlinson could be getting close to the point in his career where he starts to break down.

With a full offseason under his belt, receiver Chris Chambers could pair with up-and-comer Vincent Jackson to form one of the top tandems in the league, and cornerback Antonio Cromartie quickly is becoming one of the best defensive players in the league, on a unit that has more than a few good ones.

So we think the sky’s the limit for the Chargers.  In what could be their last year in San Diego, they just might win their first Super Bowl.