BoltBeat Roundtable: LA Chargers’ schedule release Q and A

Question 5: What’s your best guess at a record prediction based on the schedule?

Devon Auriemma:

“9-7. This is definitely a favorable schedule with only four playoff teams from last season, five if you include the Chiefs twice. The Chargers lost nine one-possession games last year. With an improved and healthy roster, the team can definitely win more games than last season. If Taylor can be an above-average quarterback, they will be a playoff team.”

Steven Haglund:

“Predictions in May are always tricky. At this point last year I thought the Chargers were headed for a real shot at contending for the Super Bowl and then everything that could go wrong, did go wrong, starting with Russell Okung’s pulmonary embolism.

I will say I think the team’s ceiling seems like 11-5 and the floor seems like 7-9, so for my prediction, I’ll split the difference and say the Chargers end up at 9-7 in 2020.

Either way, I personally am very excited for this season. I think the Chargers will come out with a fire lit under them and surprise a lot of people, especially Taylor, who is wildly underappreciated in my opinion. Mostly, I just hope we get to see this team stay healthy for once.”

Gary Johnson:

“I’m gonna go 9-7 at this point. The roster is loaded, but there’s no telling how the play under center will be. Until I see otherwise, I don’t believe they’ll keep up with the more high-powered offenses that they have to face.”

Alexander Insdorf:

“I’ll be a little more bullish and go 10-6. With a new offensive scheme and fewer turnovers, the Chargers could go back to their 12-4 2018 form very quickly. I’m more confident in Taylor than most. As long as he keeps the turnovers down, he’s got a great shot of succeeding in this offense.

The roster is well constructed. I loved their free-agent signings and liked the draft. Linval Joseph and Bulaga are the two acquisitions that will make a big difference in the trenches.”

Jason Reed: “I know that Charger fans reading this want us to be positive but I cannot expect this team to be any better than 8-8 in 2020. I just cannot get excited about Tyrod Taylor being the quarterback, despite how exciting this defense is.

I think the AFC West has two playoff teams in the Chiefs and Broncos, giving the Chargers three losses already and throw in the Saints, Bucs, Bills, splitting with the Raiders and a 50/50 game against a team like the Falcons or Dolphins and that puts the LA Chargers at eight losses.”

Thanks to all of the writers who participated in this roundtable. Let us know your thoughts on the schedule below. Also, follow and reach out to our writers on Twitter if you want to talk some LA Chargers with them!