Week Six
at Cleveland Browns (Sunday, Oct. 14)
While there’s every expectation that the Browns will be a better unit than the one that went 0-16 last season and is 1-31 over the last two NFL campaigns, they’re still the Browns and they’re very hard to take seriously.
Having added Tyrod Taylor and Jarvis Landry, their offense should have more stability and two top-four draft picks should mean some more handy options for coach Hue Jackson.
The Browns were also a tough contest for the Chargers last year and, need I remind anyone, the Bolts are the 1 in 1-31 after the Browns beat them two years ago, so Los Angeles must avoid complacency.
Record: 5-1
Week Seven
at Tennessee Titans (Sunday, Oct. 21)
The Titans look like a good prospect ahead of the 2018 season. Marcus Mariota has continued to grow and find himself at NFL level and there are enough weapons around him to trouble most teams in the league.
Tennessee also represents one of the more physical teams in the NFL and will make for a tough day both with and without the ball when these two teams roll into Wembley Stadium.
Mariota might have the athleticism to avoid the pass rush on occasion, but after four quarters of dodging Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, he might not be all that content behind center. It might not be a popular pick outside the Bolts faithful, but I think the Chargers get the job done in this one.
Record: 6-1
Week Eight
Bye week
There might not be any football to watch, but this could be my favorite week. Less opportunity for injuries or problems, the boys get a chance to chill out and recover before a big finish to the schedule.