The Los Angeles Chargers come into the 2022-23 season with playoff or bust expectations. Many NFL analysts are even picking them to win the division and be in super bowl contention this season. While the team certainly has the talent to be in the mix, this is a Chargers team that still hasn’t made the playoffs since 2018-19 and historically has bad luck with talented teams. The Chargers also play in perhaps the toughest division in the NFL in the AFC west, and also play the NFC West to add to the difficulty of their 2022-23 schedule. I decided to project each game of their schedule below to see how things could shake out this season.

Final Record: 11-6

Game 1 vs. Las Vegas Raiders 9/11/22: W

TNF Game 2 at Kansas City Chiefs 9/15/22: L

Game 3 vs Jacksonville Jaguars 9/25/22: W

Game 4 at Houston Texans 10/2/22: W

Game 5 at Cleveland Browns 10/9/22 : W

MNF Game 6 vs Denver Broncos 10/17/22: W

Game 7 vs Seattle Seahawks 10/23/22: W

Bye Week 

Game 8 at Atlanta Falcons 11/6/22: W

Game 9 at San Francisco 49ers 11/13/22: L

Game 10 vs Kansas City Chiefs 11/20/22: W

Game 11 at Arizona Cardinals 11/27/22: L

Game 12 at Las Vegas Raiders 12/4/22: L

Game 13 vs Miami Dolphins 12/11/22: W

Game 14 vs Tennessee Titans 12/18/22: W

Game 15 at Indianapolis Colts 12/26/22: W

SNF Game 16 vs Los Angeles Rams 1/1/23: L

TBD Game 17 at Denver Broncos : L

Summary of Predictions

The front half of the Chargers schedule is by far the easiest part of the schedule. With the Chargers playing the Jaguars, Falcons, Texans, and Seahawks they get an opportunity to face four teams who are clearly rebuilding. There are no easy wins in the NFL though, so don’t be surprised if they do slip up against one of the these teams. The first two games of the season are no easy task but, I expect the Chargers to be ready for the Raiders before losing at Arrowhead on short rest.

I assume the Browns will not have Deshaun Watson available in week 5, which would make it a much more manageable road win for the Chargers. Games at San Francisco and Arizona with a home game vs Kansas City sandwiched in between is certainly not ideal for the Chargers in November. I believe the Bolts will get it done at home vs. the Chiefs before suffering a losing streak with back to back games on the road in Arizona and Las Vegas. The Chargers should have enough talent to sweep the AFC south and beat Miami. The defending super bowl champs then edge out the Chargers in the battle of LA in Sofi. Lastly, I see the Chargers dropping the regular season finale at Denver to a good Broncos team.

This puts the Chargers at 11-6 on the year, and assuredly in the postseason field in the AFC. Whether LA wins the division remains to be seen due to its high degree of difficulty, but I do have the Chargers finishing in the top two of the AFC west in this projection.