Back in November, the NFL flexed Week 16's matchup between the LA Chargers and Denver Broncos from Sunday to Thursday Night Football. It was obvious at the time that this schedule change would be dangerous for the Chargers and now that we are heading into Week 16 that danger has turned into reality.
The Chargers have a short week after the worst loss of the season while several injuries linger for important players. Denver is rolling coming into the game, which is the most important of the year thus far considering the playoff implications.
Flexing one Chargers game to give the team a shorter week isn't enough for the NFL, it seems. Instead of getting a full 10 days between games after playing on Thursday, it now appears the Chargers will be playing the New England Patriots on slightly shorter notice in Week 17 as well.
Appears the Patriots game against the Chargers will be on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 1 PM
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) December 17, 2024
NFL reportedly moving Chargers-Patriots to Saturday in Week 17
Saturday games are a common occurrence late in the NFL season and it is unfortunate that the Chargers may have to play one in Week 17. Outside of how this impacts fans' travel plans right after the holidays, this gives the Chargers one fewer day of rest after the Thursday game, and cramps the schedule during Christmas week for those who celebrate.
Let's not forget that a West Coast team traveling East for an early-slate game is already tough enough. Playing said game a day earlier certainly doesn't make that any easier.
On paper, the Chargers should take care of business against the Patriots and moving the game up one day should not change that. After all, if the Chargers are truly a playoff team they shouldn't lose to a team that will have a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
But this is the NFL we are talking about where anything can happen and moving the game up one day does add a new wrinkle of variance that absolutely could make a difference. While it may not outright change the outcome, it is obviously a less-than-ideal situation for the Chargers compared to playing on Sunday.
There is a real chance that Week 17's game against the Patriots is a must win. The Chargers are favorites on Thursday Night Football but with how the team has played recently, fans are not overly confident in the Bolts beating the Broncos on primetime.
Los Angeles would be 8-7 with the loss with several teams knocking on the door. A loss to New England in Week 17 and suddenly the Chargers may be forced to beat the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18 to even get into the playoffs.
Winning Thursday would give the Chargers a comfortable cushion but if not, fans may be in for a stressful Saturday after the holiday against the Patriots.