As we get closer to the NFL Draft, another occurrence in the league has happened: the schedule for the Los Angeles Chargers and all the other 31 teams has been released. This year, the Chargers are getting four prime time games including a trip to Mexico. Let’s take an early look at what the schedule holds:
OUR SCHEDULE IS SET.
what games do you have circled?! pic.twitter.com/uqd0vhX7GQ
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) April 18, 2019
Looking at the Los Angeles Chargers 2019 Schedule
The Prime Time Games
This year’s prime time games for the Chargers include: a rematch with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week Six on Sunday Night, traveling to play the Oakland Raiders in Week Ten on Thursday Night, playing the Kansas City Chiefs in Mexico City in Week 11, and hosting the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night in Week 15.
The Steelers game will be interesting, as these two played a prime time game just last year, where the Steelers blew a 23-7 lead and the Chargers won 33-30 on a field goal after a bizarre sequence of repeated offsides jumps by the Steelers. Their roster will look a bit different this year without Antonio Brown around. We’ll see whether the Chargers secondary will be able to hold off the offense again or not.
The late-in-the-season Vikings game will be interesting too, as we’ll see if Kirk Cousins is able to play well in what will likely be an important game. If he continues to struggle in prime time, the Chargers ought to come away with that win. The Raiders game is probably the least interesting of the bunch because while these two teams do usually play each other close, the Raiders seem least likely to be a playoff contender this season. Still, the Chargers shouldn’t sleep on them either and games between divisional opponents often go in unexpected directions.
Dealing with the Chiefs Twice
Arguably the two most important games of the season are the two matchups with the Chiefs. Both teams finished 12-4 last year and established themselves as AFC heavyweights. There aren’t really even any other AFC contenders on the schedule in the second half of the season. Last year the Chargers and Chiefs split the series, which included a prime time game late in the season where the Chargers won by going for a two-point conversion instead of taking overtime.
This year we should expect more tightly contested matches with the Chiefs. The Chiefs offense is quite difficult to defend, due mainly to Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill. Philip Rivers vs Mahomes could end up being the kind of quarterback duel that will leave defensive coordinators furious.
The Chargers will be losing their home game against the Chiefs due to the Mexico game. While some fans may be frustrated by that, they should remember that the Chargers bizarrely often played better on the road last year – which included the win over the Chiefs. (Last year they went 7-1 on the road; or 8-1 if you count the London game.) If that continues to be the case this year, then playing the Chiefs twice away from home could actually be to the advantage of the Chargers.
Other Interesting Games on the Schedule
A couple of early-season games with the two AFC South playoff teams from last year – hosting the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans in Weeks One and Three, respectively – ought to be interesting. Both teams have high-octane offenses and have been getting better on defense too, so those will be ones to watch out for.
In terms of playing a tough defense, the toughest game of the season may be in Week Eight when the Chargers travel to play the Chicago Bears. Due to the likely pressure from the defensive line led by Khalil Mack, that will likely be a game where Rivers will have to get the ball out of his hands faster than usual – or risk ending up with his back on the turf a lot.
Last Word
The schedule looks to be noticeably easier in the second half; despite including both Chiefs games, it also includes both Raiders games, and also matchups with the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars. All three of those teams seem unlikely to be playoff contenders right now. Obviously, a lot can happen between now and then. But it looks like the Chargers will have things easier down the stretch.
Last year the Chargers finished 12-4 in a year in which they went 4-3 against teams with winning records – and that was without Hunter Henry for the entire season and without Joey Bosa for most of it. Assuming the stars of the team stay healthy, it seems reasonable to expect another 11-to-12-win season. The question will be how far they can go in the playoffs this time.
Main Photo:
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