The Los Angeles Chargers are coming off a strong 2018 season, which saw them return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. With a 12-4 record, despite being the #5 seed, they finished tied for the best record in the AFC. A return trip is certainly to be expected this year – and possibly more, since their playoff trip ended in the Divisional Round. How does the schedule look for them this year? What are the Chargers easiest games in 2019?
Last Word on Pro Football is analyzing the schedules of all 32 NFL teams. Each team’s 16-game slate will be split into its most difficult (1-8) and easiest games (9-16). Be sure to check out the most difficult games for the Chargers this year.
Los Angeles Chargers Easiest Games of 2019 Season
9. Week 16: vs Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are unlikely to be a contender this year, but they do have Antonio Brown so that might make their offense a little more difficult to deal with. More notably, this is a Week 16 game, and depending upon how the Raiders are doing at that point, they could be looking to play spoiler to the Chargers (or even contend for a spot, though that feels unlikely). Plus, despite being a “home game” for the Chargers, it’s also kind of a home game for the Raiders – since this is in their former home, Los Angeles. But then again, now that the Chargers are contenders again, they may not have as many problems with the fans getting outnumbered in their own stadium.
10. Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a better quarterback now in Nick Foles, but the offense as a whole still looks a little lackluster. The poor offensive line in particular should help Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram to have a good game. If there’s any trouble here for the Chargers, it’s more likely to come from the Jaguars defense. It’s certainly possible that could be a sufficient problem, especially if they’re able to get a good pass rush going. But this still looks to be on the easier side of games for the Chargers.
11. Week Five: vs Denver Broncos
Much like with the other Denver Broncos game, the bigger problem here might be the Broncos defense. This Broncos offense doesn’t feel that dangerous regardless of which quarterback is out there. And with this being the home game, it seems to stand to reason that this would be the easier game. Of course, this being a divisional game, anything is possible – as when the Broncos beat the Chargers last year, it was in Los Angeles.
12. Week 15: vs Minnesota Vikings
This ranking is less of a reflection of how good the Minnesota Vikings will likely be, and more on how much Kirk Cousins seems to struggle in primetime, especially against better teams. It’s also worth noting that unless the Vikings offensive line improves this year, this may also be another game where Bosa and Ingram get to feast. This game will likely come down to whether Cousins can show up on primetime or not. History does seem to suggest the latter.
13. Week 10: at Oakland Raiders
Another primetime game for the Chargers, but this seems to be the easiest one on paper. Because even with the acquisition of Brown, this Raiders team just does not seem playoff-ready again yet. There’s little to say otherwise that wasn’t already said in the other Raiders entry. Anything is possible in a game between divisional rivals. But on paper, the Chargers should really win both games against the Raiders.
14. Week Two: at Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford is capable of making good things happen, but he isn’t flourishing as much under the newer head coach Matt Patricia. This Detroit Lions team does seem to be in a bit of a rut right now in general. Even though they have some solid pieces (Kerryon Johnson, Kenny Golladay), the defense is inconsistent and so is the team’s ability to win games. Until proven otherwise, this game may be on the easier side.
15. Week Seven: at Tennessee Titans
Despite finishing with a decent record last year, the Tennessee Titans just feel like a mess right now. Marcus Mariota has been struggling heavily and getting injured frequently, but his wide receiver corps also hasn’t been helping him a whole lot. The strength of this team on their better days has been their defense and running game, but the Chargers ought to be able to lock down the latter. It’s not being talked about much, but the Titans are a team that could plummet heavily this year. Unless Mariota suddenly has one of his better days, this game shouldn’t be as close as their game last year was.
16. Week Four: at Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a team in rebuilding mode and that’s something the Chargers ought to be able to take advantage of. We still don’t know who’s starting at quarterback yet, but it may not matter. The running game seems lifeless, there isn’t really much of a #1 receiver, and the defense doesn’t seem promising either. This team may well have a top-five pick in the Draft next year, so this should be easy pickings for the Chargers.
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