Chargers game-by-game predictions after 2024 NFL schedule release

Week 1 vs. Las Vegas Raiders

The Harbaugh era for the Chargers starts with an AFC West division game with a little added emphasis to it. Firstly, this will be two teams beginning their seasons with new head coaches, even though there is familiarity with Antonio Pierce with Las Vegas from last year. Secondly, the Chargers haven’t forgotten about the 63-21 beating they took from the Raiders last year. While there will likely be an adjustment period with Harbaugh, I’ll take the better quarterback and coach in this, which is undoubtedly Harbaugh and Justin Herbert. WIN

Record: 1-0

Week 2 at Carolina Panthers

It’s on the road for Week 2. But it will be against a Panthers team that has lost 25 games in the last two seasons with yet another new head coach this year. Chargers start off 2-0. WIN

Record: 2-0

Week 3 at Pittsburgh Steelers

Here’s where things start to get a little interesting. The Steelers have had nearly all the pieces available to be a really good team, except for the quarterback position. Well, now they have two in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Playing in Pittsburgh is never easy, and Mike Tomlin is still one of the better coaches in the league. The Chargers probably take their first loss here. LOSS

Record: 2-1

Week 4 vs. Kansas City Chiefs

It’s easy to see the Chiefs on the schedule and automatically place an L. Plus, the Chargers have lost five straight to the Chiefs and 17 out of their last 20, according to The Football Database. Kansas City will be coming off games against Baltimore on Thursday Night Football in the opener, Cincinnati, then go to Atlanta for Sunday Night Football. Chargers pull an upset here. WIN

Record: 3-1

Week 5: BYE

Week 6 at Denver Broncos

There were multiple reasons for Harbaugh’s hire, but one of them was because the Chargers couldn’t win division games. Los Angeles has lost their last three to Denver and their last one came from an overtime win in 2022. For the upcoming season, however, the Chargers seem in a lot better shape than the Broncos do. WIN

Record: 4-1

Week 7 at Arizona Cardinals (Monday Night Football)

Justin Herbert will be back under the lights when the Chargers head to Phoenix for Monday Night Football for the first of three prime time games. The Cardinals have done much over the last couple of seasons with Kyler Murray’s injuries playing a large part in that. But this could be an under the radar team in 2024. One that will also give the Chargers their second loss. LOSS

Record: 4-2

Week 8 vs. New Orleans Saints

Though Saints coach Dennis Allen could very well be on the outs if the 2024 season doesn’t play out well for him, he does always have a solid defense. The Saints were ranked 8th in scoring defense last season. This could limit a Chargers offense that maybe still isn’t hitting on all cylinders quite yet. Chargers hit a bit of a skid. LOSS

Record: 4-3

Week 9 at Cleveland Browns

This could be one of three straight weeks where the Chargers face tough defenses. The Browns were ranked first in total defense last season. Chargers lose on the road where points might be scarce. LOSS

Record: 4-4

Week 10 vs. Tennessee Titans

Back at SoFi Stadium, the Chargers will pick up a win against a much-improved Titans team. They’ll need this win before they face their toughest stretch of the entire season. WIN

Record: 5-4

Week 11 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

We’ve only been given the pleasure of seeing Herbert face Joe Burrow once since the two entered the league. That was back in 2021 with Herbert getting the win for he and Chargers. If the Bengals are back to their winning ways with Burrow healthy, he’ll even the score here. LOSS

Record: 5-5

Week 12 vs. Baltimore Ravens (Monday Night Football)

The Harbaugh Bowl is back — at least during the regular season. Now these two are both set in the AFC, meaning they’ll have to go potentially through one another to get to a Super Bowl. To no surprise, this will be on Monday Night Football. This could very well be another classic showdown between the two brothers. But we’ll also get treated to Herbert versus Lamar Jackson. Chargers at home keep it close but John keeps a perfect record over Jim, making it 4-0. LOSS

Record: 5-6

Week 13 at Atlanta Falcons

The Chargers could possibly be facing an Atlanta team that’s clicking at this point, with Kirk Cousins and the rest of the offense getting to know each other pretty well. Again, this is the Chargers toughest stretch of the season, with one more daunting task ahead. LOSS

Record: 5-7

Week 14 at Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday Night Football)

Unlike when they meet in Week 4, the Chargers will be playing the Chiefs this time just before they hit another difficult, and unusual, part of their schedule, where they’ll hit every day of the week except for Tuesday. The Chiefs will play the Raiders on Black Friday, then have their rematch with the Chargers on Sunday Night Football, followed by Cleveland the next Sunday, Houston the Saturday after, and then Pittsburgh on Christmas Day, which is on Wednesday. If this turns out to be a revenge game, then how could you not take the Chiefs at Arrowhead in December? The end of the year at least gets easier for Los Angeles. LOSS

Record: 5-8

Week 15 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Facing the Buccaneers won’t be a pushover game for the Chargers by any means. This was a team that ended up taking over the NFC South last season and won a playoff game. Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans are both back. The Chargers find a way to win mid-December with still a slim chance of a playoff berth on the line. WIN

Record: 6-8

Week 16 vs. Denver Broncos

We’ll probably see what the Broncos look like with Bo Nix under center by this point in the season. But it’s probably rightful to assume the Broncos won’t be in playoff contention. Chargers end their home schedule with a win over Denver, picking up a division win. WIN

Record: 7-8

Week 17 at New England Patriots

The Patriots could already be planning for the 2025 NFL Draft at this point, having very little in the win column. Chargers continue to roll and get back to .500. WIN

Record: 8-8

Week 18 at Las Vegas Raiders

The Chargers make it a clean sweep over the Raiders and finish with a much better division record than in years past. This will give the Chargers a winning season. It would also be a similar finish to how Harbaugh ended his first season with the 49ers. Does this get them in the playoffs? That’s tough to say, but as competitive as the AFC is, they may just be right outside the bubble. WIN

Record: 9-8