Week 10: Lions at Chargers
This has all the makings of being a really fun game and quite frankly, this game feels very similar to the Dolphins game from 2022. The Lions will have this great offense that looks unstoppable and they will likely be out to a hot start in 2023 (if the hype is to be believed).
Then Brandon Staley will come in and expose Detroit's biggest flaw in a similar way that he exposed Miami's biggest flaw last season. Detroit has a better running game but Staley will ultimately make Jared Goff beat the Chargers and that won't happen.
Prediction: Chargers 31, Lions 21 (6-3)
Week 11: Chargers at Packers
The Green Bay Packers should be better than most NFL fans expect in 2023. Sure, the team lost Aaron Rodgers, but Rodgers was not even that great last season and Jordan Love has looked pretty good in the preseason.
This will be a cold day at Lambeau Field and will be a battle of two defenses. As good as Love has looked in the preseason, Chargers fans can still trust in Justin Herbert to deliver when the game is on the line.
Prediction: Chargers 20, Packers 17 (7-3)
Week 12: Ravens at Chargers
The Baltimore Ravens are this writer's pick to win the loaded AFC North as they are such a great regular-season team when Lamar Jackson is healthy and firing on all cylinders. And as unfortunate as it is for the Bolts, Staley has historically been outwitted by great head coaches in the past.
If there is a game in 2023 that feels like the classic "the Chargers could have won but got in their own way" it is this game. Can't win them all.
Prediction: Ravens 34, Chargers 28 (7-4)
Week 13: Chargers at Patriots
This is the one game that most Chargers analysts are circling as the "Chargers are the better team but lose on the road" game. And while that is definitely possible against the greatest coach in NFL history, we think it will go the other way.
Kellen Moore dropped over 30 points against Bill Belichick's defense back in 2021 and while there is more talent now, New England has still be prone to letting good offenses score. New England will prey on turnovers and quarterback pressure in 2023, two things the Chargers can avoid if healthy at this point in the season.
Ryan Ficken's special teams will shrink the usual special teams gap and it will ultimately come down to which quarterback can deliver in a big spot. Once again, our money is on Herbert.
Prediction: Chargers 24, Patriots 20 (8-4)