It has felt like an eternity since the LA Chargers have played a football game. The Bolts had a bye in Week 5 and won't be suiting up on the usual Sunday as the team hosts the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
We are still very early in the 2023 NFL season but it is not too early to think about the bigger picture. The Chargers are very much a playoff contender and fans don't just have to worry about how the Bolts play, they have to worry about how other playoff foes in the AFC West play.
As a result, there are several teams that the Chargers should be rooting against in Week 6. Some of those teams have already played. The Kansas City Chiefs unfortunately won on Thursday while the Tennessee Titans (wild card competition) lost to the Baltimore Ravens early Sunday morning in London.
Here are the rest of the games you should be watching in Week 6 with rooting interest.
Teams Chargers fans should be rooting against on Sunday in Week 6:
Las Vegas Raiders
This is an obvious one. The Chargers are a better team than the Raiders and that should bear out as the season goes along. However, the Raiders are still in striking distance to at least be in the playoff picture come December. The Bolts would benefit from them racking up the losses now.
The Raiders host the New England Patriots, who also seemed like they were going to be a playoff competitor for the Bolts. However, the Patriots have started the season terribly and play in an extremely tough division. The Pats are not a concern for the playoffs, so Chargers fans should do what they do best and root against Vegas.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have slept-walk the first five weeks of the season and have a 2-3 record heading into their home game against the Seattle Seahawks. This game is not as much of a must-win as it was last week against the Arizona Cardinals, but it would still be huge for Cincy to get the W.
A 3-3 record suddenly becomes a lot more manageable for the Bengals and could give them the fast track to finish ahead of the Chargers, especially if the Bolts lose against the Cowboys on Monday. However, a 2-4 record puts the Bengals behind the 8-ball and behind the Chargers in the standings, even if they lose.
New York Jets
The New York Jets are not as dangerous as everyone thought without Aaron Rodgers. However, the team is still talented enough to be in the playoff picture come December, so the Chargers need all the help they can get now.
The Jets are in the same situation as the Bengals as they have a 2-3 record heading into Week 6. New York has a much harder opponent teed up, though, as the Jets host the Philadelphia Eagles. Having both the Bengals and Jets fall to 2-4 would be great for the Chargers.