3 ways NFL screwed the Chargers with 2023 schedule

2. Chargers aren't getting the benefit of longer weeks like a team normally would

Playing on a day other than Sunday creates an advantage and a disadvantage on both sides of the game. If a team plays on a Thursday, it is a disadvantage as they are playing on only three days rest (but so is the other team). The advantage that is created is extra rest for the following week that the other team normally does not have.

The advantage of playing on Monday night football is an extra day of preparation and rest (that the other team is also getting) but the disadvantage is having a shorter week the following week against an opponent that likely didn't play on Monday Night Football.

The Chargers get to deal with the disadvantages of playing on Monday or Thursday multiple times in 2023 (two Monday Night Football games and one Thursday Night Football game) but they do not get the advantages with how the schedule is made.

The Chargers' first MNF game comes in Week 6 a week after the team's bye. The one advantage the Chargers do have in Week 6 of having extra rest is negated by the fact that the Cowboys also get one extra day to prepare.

Then the Bolts don't get the full rest advantage after being forced to play on Thursday Night Football in Week 14. The Bolts have to play on Saturday the following week, taking away that extra day of rest that every other TNF team gets.