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 most difficult games for the Los Angeles Chargers. Be sure to check out the easiest games for the Chargers as well.
Los Angeles Chargers Most Difficult Games of 2020
1. Week 17: @ Kansas City Chiefs
It pretty much stands to reason that the reigning Super Bowl Champion would be at the top of the most difficult games the Chargers have to play all year. Compared to other teams, the Chargers defense has played surprisingly okay against Patrick Mahomes the last three times they’ve met. However, two out of those three times it still hasn’t been enough to beat the Kansas City Chiefs. And now the Chargers offense is likely to lack the quarterback to help them keep up. Per the usual, out of their two matchups, the game in Arrowhead will likely be tougher.
2. Week 5: @ New Orleans Saints
Outside of maybe the Chiefs, the New Orleans Saints are easily the most well-rounded juggernaut team the Chargers will have to face all year. And having to do it in the Superdome doesn’t make it any better. Philip Rivers always played his games with Drew Brees pretty close, but still went 0-3 against him – even against a couple of non-playoff Saints teams. It’s hard to imagine Tyrod Taylor or Justin Herbert doing any better.
3. Week 2: vs Kansas City Chiefs
Assuming the Chargers actually get to play in SoFi Stadium this year, this would be how they’d get to open it – by playing the defending champions. Not much to add here that wasn’t covered earlier. Unlike the last few years, neither of these two matchups between these teams are on primetime, so not much inherently special about these games – especially with Rivers gone.
4. Week 12: @ Buffalo Bills
With Tom Brady out of the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills look to be the new top dog in the division this year. Even if that’s just by virtue of none of the other teams being that good, the Chargers do still have to deal with the fact that they have to travel to the opposite coast and play a game at 10 AM California time – a situation which in the past hasn’t always gone well for them. Playing an actually good opponent may make that worse, especially when they’ll have a tough defense to contend with.
5. Week 11: @ Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos look to be a possible sleeper team in the AFC this year, with a revamped offense and finally a possible new franchise quarterback. Plus, there’s the defense to deal with. Drew Lock already defeated this team once (albeit on a boneheaded penalty by Casey Hayward), and now he’ll have at least one more weapon to work with in Jerry Jeudy. Another case where being a Divisional opponent should make it a close one.
6. Week 4: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Some might expect the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be ranked a little higher here, given Tom Brady’s arrival. And the secondary certainly ought to have a long day trying to defend against Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Plus, their defensive line will be tough. But this offensive line isn’t as good as what Brady is used to, and given that the Chargers have an excellent defensive line themselves (particular in the pass-rusher department), they could make life difficult for Brady too. Of course, this being another one of those early-day cross-coast trips for the Chargers may not do them many favors.
7. Week 16: vs Denver Broncos
Once again, playing at home versus on the road is on average going to be the easier of the two matchups against a divisional opponent. It won’t hurt that they’ll have a long week of rest after having played a Thursday night game the week before.
8. Week 15: @ Las Vegas Raiders
While it doesn’t currently seem like we should expect anything special out of the Las Vegas Raiders this year, it’s usually a closely fought battle between these two teams, no matter what the records are. It will be interesting to see what the home field advantage will look like for the Raiders in their brand new stadium. On paper, the Chargers should probably win this, but it’s a divisional game against their biggest rival, so expect anything.
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