Chargers' September schedule is key to making a playoff push

Can you feel it in the air? Chargers football is almost back!

Cautious optimism is the theme surrounding the Bolts and their fans heading into the 2024 campaign. A tumultuous 5-12 season in 2023 is forecast to be improved upon under the guidance of new head coach Jim Harbaugh, the man who has an extensive track record of turning around sputtering football teams.

But just how much will the Chargers turn around their recent misfortunes? A hot start to the season would be, well, a great start. Luckily for them, their September schedule — on paper at least — gives them a realistic launching pad to begin the season on a winning note. Three very winnable games in their first four? Sign them up.

The Chargers have three favorable games to start the 2024 season

What better way to kick off a new campaign then a revenge game? That is exactly what stands in front of the Chargers when they clash with the Las Vegas Raiders in the season opener.

The silver and black steamrolled the 'Bolts 63-21 in front of a nationally televised audience last December, marking an appalling end to Brandon Staley's turbulent tenure as head coach. Needless to say, the Chargers players who were on the losing end of that whooping will be out for vengeance on September 8th

Making matters better for Los Angeles is the Raiders roster itself, which is full of question marks. They have a trio of bonafide talents in wide receiver Davante Adams, pass rusher Maxx Crosby, and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. But aside from that, they leave a lot to be desired, including at quarterback, where career journeyman Gardner Minshew will start under center.

One week later, the Chargers square off against a Carolina Panthers squad fresh off a horrid showing last campaign. They finished 2-15 and received lackluster returns from 2023 first-overall draft pick Bryce Young. General manager Dan Morgan is hoping the additions of veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson and rookie pass catcher Xavier Legette will help his young QB.

And to their credit, the Panthers signed pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney to an already underrated front seven. But under new head coach Dave Canales, the Panthers will surely be working through a lot of adjustments early in the season, opening the door for the Chargers to start 2-0.

After that is a date with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Steel City. And while Mike Tomlin remains one of football's most revered coaches, question marks surround an offense led by Russell Wilson, the same quarterback who got run out of Denver after two rocky seasons with the Broncos.

Can he adjust to another new offensive system? Time will tell, but the Chargers defense has the pieces to stymie their attack in Week 3. Chalk up another win here.

A 3-1 start would be encouraging for the Chargers

Regardless of whether or not the Chargers start 3-0, their next match will be Harbaugh's first big test as the sideline boss. The Kansas City Chiefs will roll into SoFi Stadium, a venue where the back-to-back Super Bowl Champions are undefeated against their AFC West foes.

Since 2020, the Chargers and Chiefs have put together multiple nail-biting thrillers at SoFi. The duels between Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes have developed into must-see TV. But in each match, the Chiefs have always found a way to electrocute the Bolts and break Chargers fans' hearts, and expect a similar story to play out in Week 4.

Beginning the season 3-1 is nothing to scoff at. In fact, it would be underwhelming if they do not reach this mark after their first four games. Doing so would serve as a great launching pad for a potential run to the postseason because, as we all know, starting a season strong is crucial to success in the NFL.

But more importantly, anything less than a 3-1 start could pose a risk to their postseason chances in the gauntlet that is the AFC. Luckily for the Chargers, their October slate includes games against the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, and New Orleans Saints, all three of which are winnable contests. Do Harbaugh's Bolts do their part though? Only time will tell.