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For the Chargers, winning at home is key in 2019

By Tyler Schoon

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 13: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by Trey Flowers #98 of the New England Patriots during the third quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 13: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by Trey Flowers #98 of the New England Patriots during the third quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Chargers have a tough time winning at home, but host a number of talented NFL teams in Carson this season.

The Chargers may not have home field advantage in their current stadium, but they need to find a way to win more games at home than in previous years. Not only is losing at home a disastrous way to build a fan base, but it keeps the team out of the No. 1 seed in the AFC, if not the playoffs altogether. In 2019, Los Angeles anticipates the arrival of some very good teams to challenge them.

Official home games in Carson, California are:

  • Week 1 vs Colts
  • Week 3 vs Texans
  • Week 5 vs Broncos
  • Week 6 vs Steelers
  • Week 9 vs Packers
  • Week 15 vs Vikings
  • Wek 16 vs Raiders

Not having to travel to play any of these teams is a massive advantage for the Chargers; however, the team needs to ensure they make those home games count. In 2018, the Chargers went 4-3 at home (not counting the London game), beating out the 49ers, Raiders, Cardinals, and Bengals, four teams that are picking within the top 11 and three of them in the first four selections. The Chargers’ three losses came against the AFC West-winning Chiefs, AFC North-winning Ravens, and AFC West rival Broncos.

This year, Los Angeles faces two playoff teams from 2018 (Colts and Texans) as well as three teams pushing for the playoffs in the Steelers, Packers, and Vikings. The fact that their “easiest” game is against a Raiders’ squad that just added multiple talented players in free agency and will have three 2019 first round selections starting for them shows just how tough this home stretch is.

As if that slate of games wasn’t difficult enough, the Chargers will have to also travel to Mexico City to take on the Chiefs, who outside of last year’s loss in Arrowhead have beaten the Chargers in every game since 2014. It remains to be seen what kind of home field advantage either team will have in that game, if the game is played there at all. Regardless, one less game in Southern California is all the more reason to try and secure a win every game at home.

The running gag will always be the typical Chargers-have-no-fans joke (one that is becoming tired and old), but the fact of the matter is that the team needs to do a much better job of taking care of their games in California. Hopefully, Tom Telesco addresses the offensive and defensive line so that the team can control the line of scrimmage regardless of the crowd size or allegiance at home.

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