Chargers’ week-by-week schedule prediction
By Daniel Lang
We’ve known the who and the where for a while, but now, with this week’s release of the full NFL schedule for 2018, we know the when. The Los Angeles Chargers full schedule has been released and there’s some interesting and intriguing matchups across the 17-week season.
There are the usual rivalry and in-division clashes that will carry extra spice and more than their fair share of column inches between now and kickoff. There’s also a few games that stand out as potential blockbusters should both teams reach their preseason potential.
The Chargers also narrowly missed a playoff berth last season, highlighting perfectly the importance of each individual game on their calendar.
With that in mind, we take a look at each game week-by-week and lay out a series of predictions on how the season will pan out for the Bolts of Los Angeles.
It should be noted that ESPN predicts the Chargers to go 10-6 next year. Let’s see how our predictions compare.
Week One
vs Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, Sept. 9)
The Chargers have a pretty average record against their AFC West rivals from Kansas City. The Chiefs have now won eight straight games against the Chargers after a 30-13 domination at Arrowhead during the closing weeks of last season. Earlier in the season, the Chiefs notched a 24-10 win at the StubHub Center.
This year, the Chiefs come to Los Angeles with an untested second-year quarterback in Texas Tech product Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes impressed enough around the facility last year for Andy Reid to be content in trading Alex Smith to Washington, so there’s clearly something there but I’ll go with the school of thought that there’ll be usual kinks to work out before the Kansas City offense fires, so the Chargers will get the perfect start to the season at home, with a win.
Record: 1-0
Week Two
at Buffalo Bills (Sunday, Sept. 16)
While the Chargers look set to be facing another inexperienced quarterback when they take on the Buffalo Bills this year, there’s little chance they’ll enjoy the sort of spoils they did as rookie Nathan Peterman gave up five first-half interceptions last season.
Peterman’s meltdown was a key part of the Chargers’ 54-24 win at the StubHub Center. This year it looks likely AJ McCarron will be behind center for the Bills unless Buffalo can snare a quarterback they’re happy to throw into the mix in the draft.
Either way, I like the chances of the Chargers to maintain their momentum and bank a first win on the road for 2018.
Record: 2-0