{"id":89053,"date":"2020-05-30T17:56:45","date_gmt":"2020-05-30T21:56:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=89053"},"modified":"2020-05-30T17:58:54","modified_gmt":"2020-05-30T21:58:54","slug":"los-angeles-chargers-most-difficult-games-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/05\/30\/los-angeles-chargers-most-difficult-games-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Los Angeles Chargers Most Difficult Games in 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

While it\u2019s 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\u2019s most difficult games and easiest games. For this series, each team\u2019s 16-game slate will be split into its most difficult (1-8) and easiest games (9-16). For this article, we\u2019ll look at the most difficult games for the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a>. Be sure to check out the easiest games for the Chargers as well.<\/a><\/p>\n

Los Angeles Chargers Most Difficult Games of 2020<\/h2>\n

1. Week 17: @ Kansas City Chiefs<\/h3>\n

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<\/strong><\/a> the last three times they\u2019ve met. However, two out of those three times it still hasn\u2019t been enough to beat the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

2. Week 5: @ New Orleans Saints<\/h3>\n

Outside of maybe the Chiefs, the New Orleans Saints<\/a> 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\u2019t make it any better. Philip Rivers<\/a> <\/strong>always played his games with Drew Brees<\/a><\/strong> pretty close, but still went 0-3 against him \u2013 even against a couple of non-playoff Saints teams. It\u2019s hard to imagine Tyrod Taylor<\/a><\/strong> or Justin Herbert<\/strong> doing any better.<\/p>\n

3. Week 2: vs Kansas City Chiefs<\/h3>\n

Assuming the Chargers actually get to play in SoFi Stadium this year, this would be how they\u2019d get to open it \u2013 by playing the defending champions. Not much to add here that wasn\u2019t 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 \u2013 especially with Rivers gone.<\/p>\n

4. Week 12: @ Buffalo Bills<\/h3>\n

With Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong> out of the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills<\/a> look to be the new top dog in the division this year. Even if that\u2019s 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 \u2013 a situation which in the past hasn\u2019t always gone well for them. Playing an actually good opponent may make that worse, especially when they\u2019ll have a tough defense to contend with.<\/p>\n

5. Week 11: @ Denver Broncos<\/h3>\n

The Denver Broncos<\/a> 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\u2019s the defense to deal with. Drew Lock<\/a><\/strong> already defeated this team once (albeit on a boneheaded penalty by Casey Hayward<\/strong><\/a>), and now he\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n

6. Week 4: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/h3>\n

Some might expect the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> to be ranked a little higher here, given Tom Brady\u2019s arrival. And the secondary certainly ought to have a long day trying to defend against Mike Evans<\/strong><\/a> and Chris Godwin<\/strong><\/a>. Plus, their defensive line will be tough. But this offensive line isn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

7. Week 16: vs Denver Broncos<\/h3>\n

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\u2019t hurt that they\u2019ll have a long week of rest after having played a Thursday night game the week before.<\/p>\n

8. Week 15: @ Las Vegas Raiders<\/h3>\n

While it doesn\u2019t currently seem like we should expect anything special out of the Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> this year, it\u2019s 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\u2019s a divisional game against their biggest rival, so expect anything.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>