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 most difficult games this year?
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 easiest games for the Chargers in 2019.
Los Angeles Chargers Most Difficult Games in the 2019 Season
1. Week 17: at Kansas City Chiefs
While the Kansas City Chiefs defense did improve a little this off-season, they still are not up to par with their offense. The problem is, that offense led by Patrick Mahomes is pretty difficult to stop. And while both games are technically “away” this season (the other being in Mexico), the one in Arrowhead is usually the more difficult one. Furthermore, this is the season finale. It’s very possible that the division or playoff seedings (or even spots) will be up for grabs here. Fans should prepare to be sweating bullets in this one.
2. Week Eight: at Chicago Bears
This is the toughest non-divisional foe the team will be facing this year – solely because of that defense led by Khalil Mack. Like last year’s regular-season matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, this could be one of those games where Philip Rivers’ lack of mobility becomes a real issue. While the Chicago Bears offense should be manageable (barring any trick plays), the defense alone makes this one of the Chargers most difficult games.
3. Week 11: vs Kansas City Chiefs
This is last year’s #1 seed in the AFC, and they have the reigning MVP in Mahomes. Both matchups with this team are going to be on the more difficult side. This one, however, is going to be on neutral field in Mexico City. Oddly enough, this could potentially be beneficial to the Chargers. Last year, they generally played better on the road (7-1, or 8-1 if you count the London game). And even though this is playing the Chiefs on the road, it isn’t at Arrowhead, one of the toughest places to play. So it feels like they have a better chance of winning this one. However, it’ll still be a difficult game.
4. Week One: vs Indianapolis Colts
This year’s season opener isn’t a particularly an easy one, as it’s against Andrew Luck and his Indianapolis Colts. And their defense has gotten better all of a sudden, making them a well-rounded team and a difficult opponent for anyone. The Chargers could maybe benefit from a lack of depth for the Colts wide receivers, but then again it might not matter with Luck as the quarterback.
5. Week Nine: vs Green Bay Packers
While it’s hard to know what to expect out of the Green Bay Packers this year, they still have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback – a very difficult passer to defend against. If nothing else, the Packers offense should be improved this year; and while their defense doesn’t seem as tough to deal with, they still have to outscore them.
6. Week Three: vs Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are pretty decent on both defense and offense – but just not quite on the same level as a unit as some of the other teams listed above. For the defense, it might depend upon if they’re healthy. For the offense, the Chargers have sometimes struggled against more mobile quarterbacks like DeShaun Watson, but the 2018 season didn’t seem to showcase this as much. Nevertheless, this will probably be a close game as well.
7. Week Six: vs Pittsburgh Steelers
This year, we get a rematch of last year’s 33-30 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on primetime that ended in wacky fashion with the Steelers jumping offsides multiple times on the game-winning field goal attempt. And this rematch is also on primetime. The big difference is no more Antonio Brown. Still, this Steelers offense has some strong players and they typically find ways to keep games close. While it’s hard to know if the Steelers will return to true form this year or not, this still ought to be another fight to the finish for Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger.
8. Week 13: at Denver Broncos
Now we get to the other two AFC West teams, both of whom struggled again last year. However, they’re still divisional opponents, and while this might be a more in-between game due to the shaky Denver Broncos offense, weird things happen sometimes in divisional games. This was evidenced last year when the Broncos upset the Chargers for one of their few losses last year. And once again, they’re likely to be the better of the two remaining AFC West teams. And the road game will likely be more difficult here.
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