Predicting the outcome of every Chargers game after the bye week
By Jason Reed
After a promising 2-0 start to the season, the LA Chargers have come back down to earth and limp into the bye week injured with a 2-2 record. All things considered, there is nothing wrong with a 2-2 record considering the talent level of this squad.
However, with the injuries starting to pile up and the Bolts riding a two-game losing streak, fans are starting to worry about the long-term ceiling of this team.
Now that we all have a better idea of who the Chargers are under Jim Harbaugh it is easier to predict how they will do against the remaining opponents on the team's schedule. Of course, there is still room for surprise, but here is how we see the final 13 games shaking out for the Bolts.
Predicting the outcome of every Chargers game after the bye week:
Week 6 at Denver Broncos: Win
The Denver Broncos fall into the same category as the first two teams the Chargers beat to start the season. Denver has one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the league at this time as Bo Nix has been less than impressive in his rookie year.
Beating the Broncos in Denver is always a challenge but it is easier done in October than in December. Harbaugh's Chargers have proven they have no problem beating subpar quarterbacks.
Week 7 at Arizona Cardinals: Win
This feels like the first true game Justin Herbert has a vintage performance and the offense looks like it should. By this time, Herbert's ankle should not be as big of a problem, the offensive line should be healthy, and DJ Chark Jr. may even be back in the fold.
Arizona does not have a great defense and Herbert always shines when the lights are the brightest. This should be a hard-hitting offensive showcase on primetime that the Chargers are on the winning side of.
Week 8 vs New Orleans Saints: Loss
The New Orleans Saints are not the same team fans thought they were entering the season. While some of New Orleans' early-season numbers are a bit of a mirage, this is a football team that has played well on both sides of the ball.
The Saints' top-10 run defense and ability to generate interior pressure is going to be an issue for the Chargers offense. Harbaugh loses his first close game at home as the Chargers' head coach.
Week 9 at Cleveland Browns: Win
On the flip side, the Cleveland Browns are not as good of a team as expected after making the playoffs a year ago. Deshaun Watson has been awful and the Browns' defense has taken a step back in 2024.
Remember what we said about the Chargers' ability to beat bad quarterbacks? That applies here, even on the road.
Week 10 vs Tennessee Titans: Win
Whether it be Will Levis or Mason Rudolph the Tennessee Titans are going to be fielding a bad quarterback in Week 10 against the Chargers. This game does not need as much analysis as the others, it should be a comfortable win at home for the Bolts.
Week 11 vs Cincinnati Bengals: Loss
The Bengals have been disappointing to start the season and if there was ever a defense for the Chargers offense to find its footing against it is the Bengals' defense. For that reason, Chargers fans may feel confident in this matchup.
However, Joe Burrow is a quarterback who doesn't make mistakes and when there are two elite quarterbacks facing off, more times than not the one that actually has weapons wins the game. Herbert wills the Chargers to a close game but close won't be good enough.
Week 12 vs Baltimore Ravens: Loss
The Harbaugh Bowl 2.0 will unfortunately have the same ending as the first matchup between the brothers. If there is any team that knows what Greg Roman wants to do on offense it is the Ravens and that is going to give the Chargers fits in this game.
Los Angeles is not in a place to realistically compete for a Super Bowl this year while the AFC Championship Game looks like the floor for Baltimore. Good coaching will keep the Chargers in it, but the Ravens will persevere.
Week 13 at Atlanta Falcons: Win
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is really going to give Kirk Cousins fits in this game. While the Atlanta Falcons have great weapons on paper, the team has not been able to use those weapons and the Chargers will hone in on that.
This feels like a game where Herbert gets a signature two-minute drive down the stretch to secure the victory for the Bolts. And at this point, the playoffs will be a real discussion.
Week 14 at Kansas City Chiefs: Loss
As much as we want to be optimistic and write about how the Chargers will take down the Chiefs, we have to be realistic. Sure, the first matchup between these two teams was close but that is not indicative of what will happen in the second matchup.
That was the Chiefs at their absolute worst and the Chargers still could not secure the win. Sure, the Chargers were dealing with injuries of their own, but you don't usually get two winnable games against the Chiefs in the same year.
Week 15 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Loss
It may go against conventional wisdom but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a good football team. Baker Mayfield is among the league leaders in passing yards and the defense is good enough to complement a strong offense.
If Herbert had better weapons this would be a Chargers win. But without any true dynamic field-titers, the athletes on the Bucs' defense can pin their ears back and attack Herbert.
Week 16 vs Denver Broncos: Loss
The Chargers have not beaten the Broncos twice in the same season since 2010. While all the same points apply to this game as the first matchup, history tends to repeat itself so we have to play the numbers and assume the two AFC West teams split.
Whether it be this game or the first game in Denver, history says the Chargers will lose a winnable game against the Broncos because that is simply how football works.
Week 17 at New England Patriots: Win
Getting this softball on the schedule was such a gift to the Chargers as the New England Patriots are one of the worst teams in the league. Sure, the Patriots shocked the Bengals in Week 1 but every week since then New England has proven that it is one of the worst teams in the sport.
This will probably be an ugly game that is was closer than it has any right being since it is a late-December game in Foxborough, but the Chargers ultimately get it done.
Week 18 at Las Vegas Raiders: Win
The Raiders will have absolutely nothing to play for by the time Week 18 rolls around. In fact, it wouldn't be all that surprising if Tom Telesco is rooting against his new team in Week 18 to ensure better draft position in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The elite pass rush in Vegas is still an issue, especially with the lack of Chargers weapons, but it is hard to see this game going a different way especially because the Chargers will actually have something to play for.