Week 14: Broncos at Chargers
It can be a blessing or it can be a curse that the Chargers don't play the Broncos until this point in the year. Denver could either be entirely out of the playoff hunt and have nothing to play for or could have finally found its footing by this point in time under Sean Payton.
Regardless, the Chargers have never lost to the Broncos at SoFi Stadium and that streak should continue in 2023.
Prediction: Chargers 25, Broncos 17 (9-4)
Week 15: Chargers at Raiders
We firmly believe that the Raiders will absolutely be out of the playoff hunt by the time Week 15 rolls around. Josh Jacobs might be sitting out to stay healthy and Aidan O'Connell might be starting at quarterback.
O'Connell had bright moments in the preseason but he is nobody who the Chargers should fear. As long as Justin Herbert isn't missing nearly his entire starting offensive line (like last season) then this should be a W.
Prediction: Chargers 37, Raiders 24 (10-4)
Week 16: Chargers at Bills
This very well could be a preview of a potential playoff matchup for the Bolts and there is no doubt that the team is going to get up for this game. That being said, beating the Bills is already hard enough. It is going to be even harder in Buffalo in cold weather.
Buffalo sends a message to the Chargers in this game that might hurt at the time, but will be helpful as it will make the Bolts better in the long run.
Prediction: Bills 34, Chargers 21 (10-5)
Week 17: Chargers at Broncos
It is equally as tough to win in Denver in January, regardless of how good the Broncos are. Even if Denver is not in the running for anything playoff-related, Sean Payton will get his guys up and ready to play spoiler to the Chargers.
It only took the entire season but the Chargers suffer their first losing streak of this prediction, dropping a winnable game on the road to the Broncos.
Prediction: Broncos 20, Chargers 17 (10-6)
Week 18: Chiefs at Chargers
This is a really tough end of the season for the Chargers and for most teams, the Chiefs can be penciled in for a loss. However, as already mentioned, the Chargers play the Chiefs incredibly well and this time, the Bolts will get the better of their rivals.
It might not decide the AFC West but it will at least give the Chargers better playoff seeding. After two bad weeks offensively, the Chargers outlast Kansas City in a shootout to get some momentum heading into the playoffs.
Prediction: Chargers 38, Chiefs 35 (11-6)