It's that glorious time of year again in the NFL, as the full 272-game schedule for 2024 has been released. So now is the perfect opportunity to take a look at some potential trap games for the LA Chargers this season.
Everybody can see that the Chiefs will be a massive test at SoFi and Arrowhead. Matchups with perennial playoff teams like the Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, and Buccaneers also fail to fly under the radar.
There are three games on the docket this year that very few are paying attention to at this point, but each one of them could potentially make or break the Chargers' first season under Coach Jim Harbaugh.
3 potential trap games for the Chargers this season
1. Week 7 at the Arizona Cardinals
The Chargers met Kyler Murray's Cardinals at the end of November 2022 and got away with a 25-24 win thanks to a two-minute drill touchdown and two-point conversion. Justin Herbert won the game with those final two passes and wound up with 274 yards through the air, three touchdown passes, a 109.7 passer rating, and an 82.0 QBR.
Now the Bolts will have to return to Phoenix to face the Cardinals again, who most certainly will have revenge on their minds—this time (perhaps) with a much better team than they had in 2022.
Kyler Murray won't be rehabbing this year like he was for most of the 2023 season, and the cast around the quarterback has become a lot more intriguing this offseason. The offense selected Marvin Harrison Jr. through the draft, adding a generational talent to the receiving corps made up of Greg Dortch, Zay Jones, Trey McBride, and Michael Wilson.
They signed Trey Benson to the backfield behind James Conner. Many consider Benson the best running back from this draft class. They've added two very interesting defensive backs, Max Melton and Elijah Jones, who can have immediate impacts.
Jonathan Gannon is now in his second year coaching the team and they seemed to play hard for him throughout all of 2023 despite lacking talent in many areas.
This game will be right after the Mile High game against the Broncos in Week 6. That's a very winnable game that will surely raise the team's energy. This Cardinals matchup in Week 7 could prove to be a come-down spot for the Bolts if they're not careful.