LA Chargers: 3 reasons why the playoffs are out of reach in 2020
By Jason Reed
1. The LA Chargers got no favors with their schedule in 2020
Let’s start with something that is out of the LA Chargers’ control — the schedule. The schedule release is one of the most exciting parts about every offseason and while we hyped up the release here at Bolt Beat, it became quickly apparent that the Chargers did not get any favors with their schedule.
mark your calendars ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ePw4mB19D8
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) May 7, 2020
The first really concerning stretch is Week 4 and Week 5. The LA Chargers have to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (who are a playoff team, despite what you think of Tom Brady) and the New Orleans Saints in back-to-back weeks on the road.
Yes, the Chargers will benefit as they do not have to deal with a hostile crowd, but they are still going to be on the East Coast two weeks in a row during a season where their non-football activities are limited.
Two weeks later they are back in Miami. The Chargers are a more talented team than the Dolphins but they also historically can’t win in Miami. Sure, this is a new team, but it is still a West Coast team traveling East for an afternoon game just two weeks after spending two entire weeks on that side of the country.
The tea also has to go back on the road against the Buffalo Bills. If you really look at it, the Chargers’ three hardest out-of-division opponents, the Bucs, Saints and Bills, all get to host the team.
Those are three likely losses plus two games against the best team in the NFL in the Kansas City Chiefs and we are already at five losses and that is without the “toss-up” games.