The Los Angeles Chargers, admittedly, don't have the easiest path to the playoffs in 2026.
They'll face a brutal seven-game slate between Weeks 3 and 10, with matchups against some of the most formidable defenses in the NFL. If they can survive that intact, they'll still need to vie with both the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs to come out near the top of the AFC West.
Of course, it's right to be optimistic about the Chargers offense under new coordinator Mike McDaniel. Los Angeles won 11 games in the first two years of the Jim Harbaugh era, and they should be able to match that number in 2026.
But even if there's some regression from the Broncos— who are the reigning division champs— this path certainly won't be easy. Now take that same outlook and apply it to the Las Vegas Raiders, who won just three games last season and are bringing in a new head coach and a rookie quarterback.
While they're likely to be more respectable this season, Alex Kay at Bleacher Report's selection of them as a potential surprise playoff team in 2026 seems somewhat laughable in that light. Doesn't it?
The Raiders will look more respectable in 2026, but they're a far cry from playoff contention
Here's what Kay had to say about Las Vegas' inclusion in his list, which also includes the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, and Tennessee Titans:
"There have been several recent instances of rookie quarterbacks coming in and immediately leading their new team to a playoff berth... If the offense outperforms expectations and the defense—which added a number of proven veterans off the open market—can hold up, the Raiders will become one of this season's true surprise playoff teams." Alex Kay, Bleacher Report
In fairness, the Raiders will almost certainly surpass the three-win threshold they set for themselves last season. Although Kirk Cousins seems set to start the campaign under center, it's only a matter of time until first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza finds himself with live-game reps. With Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty at his disposal, Mendoza's experience in RPO-heavy schemes could help him make that leap pretty immediately.
The Raiders defense is also vastly improved heading into 2026. They revamped almost their entire linebacker corps in free agency— adding Kwity Paye, Quay Walker, and Nakobe Dean— and their additions of Treydan Stukes and Jermod McCoy in their secondary have the potential to be immediately impactful.
But let's be real here. Even with a coordinator like Klint Kubiak at the helm, this Raiders team is far from being anything more than moderately competitive. Even with the addition of Tyler Linderbaum, there's not much to be optimistic about with their offensive line. Beyond Bowers and Jeanty, they also lack real playmakers on the offense.
Perhaps if Mendoza or Cousins comes out in top form, the Raiders can find their way to six or seven wins this season. But in a division that will present a steep challenge to a team with as much talent and sound defensive infrastructure as the Chargers, Las Vegas doesn't stand a chance.
At least in 2026.
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