While it’s obviously unknown at this point if the 2020 NFL schedule will hold as planned due to COVID-19, we still have a schedule out there. And per business as usual, that means time to analyze the schedule and look at each team’s most difficult games and easiest games. For this series, each team’s 16-game slate will be split into its most difficult (1-8) and easiest games (9-16). For this article, we’ll look at the easiest games for the Los Angeles Chargers. Be sure to check out the most difficult games as well.
Los Angeles Chargers Easiest Games of 2020
9. Week 14: vs Atlanta Falcons
This one really depends upon which Atlanta Falcons team shows up; whether they’re looking more like the team we saw in the first half of last season that couldn’t get out of their own way or the one we saw in the second half that was fighting for their coach. And regardless, a Matt Ryan attack with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley will be tough to defend. But given the lateness of this game in the year, the easiness could shoot up if Dan Quinn gets fired mid-season.
10. Week 9: vs Las Vegas Raiders
As discussed in their other entry in the “Most Difficult Games” section, the difficulty for this game is elevated a little due to it being the Las Vegas Raiders, their biggest divisional rival. And once again, the home game is ranked slightly easier. Both of them should be tough, hard-fought battles either way.
11. Week 6: vs New York Jets
Right now, none of the AFC East Teams not named the Buffalo Bills look like playoff contenders at all. However, the least bad one looks to be the New York Jets; they’ve shored up their offensive line a little and despite suspect coaching and management, Sam Darnold looks to have a higher ceiling than Josh Allen.
12. Week 14: vs New England Patriots
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The biggest threat here for the Chargers will be the New England Patriots defense, but that might be mitigated by the fact that the Patriots offense should be a lot easier to stop this time. There’s still a bit of a question mark at quarterback for that team and a lack of weapons. This will likely be a low-scoring game and the Chargers may have their own troubles moving the ball against the opposing defense because of their own quarterback situation… but they have a better receiving corps. They should be able to win this one in the end.
13. Week 7: @ Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are likely going to be at the bottom of the AFC East again, as even with a new quarterback, they’re still kind of in rebuilding mode. Still, the Chargers have to travel to Miami for this one on the opposite coast again. This situation in particular with Miami has played out poorly for the Chargers for a long time. Just last year, they got their first win at Miami since “The Epic in Miami” – way back in 1982. But on paper, the Chargers ought to be able to win this one.
14. Week 1: @ Cincinnati Bengals
Getting a new quarterback alone probably is not going to fit all of the Cincinnati Bengals problems. More importantly, this will presumably be Joe Burrow’s first start, and he’ll have to do it against a tough Chargers defense. It’s not like rookie quarterbacks have never come out firing in their first start, but this will not be an ideal matchup for the #1 overall pick.
15. Week 3: vs Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a team that is in a total state of flux and seemingly in rebuild mode. The only factor to really be that concerned about here is Christian McCaffrey. If they can keep him from running roughshod over the defense, then this should be one of the easiest games for the Chargers.
16. Week 8: vs Jacksonville Jaguars
These two teams met near the end of last season – at a time when the Chargers were in complete freefall. And yet, they still demolished the Jacksonville Jaguars 45-10; and the Jaguars are arguably in even bigger freefall themselves now. This should be the easiest win for the Chargers all season, without a doubt.
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