The LA Chargers have a tough task ahead of them in 2025. Let's predict the team's first five games.
Not many are predicting the Chargers to win the AFC West this year, as most of the predictions have the Denver Broncos or Kansas City Chiefs winning it, so to some degree, LA is flying under the radar a bit, which is interesting.
They have a high-floor with the duo of Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh leading the way, but their true ceiling remains to be seen. Let's predict how the Chargers will do in their first five games of the 2025 NFL Season.
Predicting the Chargers' first five games of the 2025 NFL Season
Week 1 - vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Brazil)
Opening up against the Chiefs in Brazil, the Chargers have a great opportunity in front of them to notch a crucial AFC West win. On paper, both teams are pretty evenly-matched, but the primetime advantage that the Chiefs typically have over their opponents is too hard to ignore. However, the Bolts do enough and end up squeezing out a close win under the lights.
Chargers win 23-20 (1-0)
Week 2 - @ Las Vegas Raiders
Now traveling to face the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chargers could be on upset watch here, but the Raiders are so poorly built that it's honestly hard to see this team winning any of their AFC West matchups. Sure, playing in Las Vegas is tough, and the Raiders seem to have a decent coaching staff in place, but they'll lose the battle in the trenches, and the Chargers will earn their second win of the season.
Chargers win 20-16 (2-0)
Week 3 - vs. Denver Broncos
Home against the Denver Broncos could prove to be their toughest test of the season, as the Broncos did hold a double-digit lead at one point when the two teams were playing in LA. Denver added a considerable amount of talent this offseason and could take advantage of LA playing two close games. The steam wears off a bit as the Chargers drop their first game of the season.
Broncos win 24-21 (2-1)
Week 4 - @ New York Giants
The New York Giants could win the battle in the trenches here, as their defensive line is just too good to ignore. However, their offense is questionable at best, and there is a reason why many are predicting the Giants to simply not be a good team in 2025. The Chargers get back on track and improve to 3-1 on the seasn.
Chargers win 22-14 (3-1)
Week 5 - vs. Washington Commanders
The Chargers will drop their home game against the Washington Commanders. Washington may honestly have the QB advantage in this one, and their improved pass rush could be too tough for Justin Herbert to work around. Washington came within one game of the Super Bowl in 2024 and got better in the offseason. LA drops to 3-2 in a close loss.