SAN DIEGO -- Earlier this year, I predicted the San Diego Chargers would finish 6-10 this season. After the moves the team made in the draft and free agency, I believe the Chargers could finish closer to .500. However, having the team’s first-round selection, Joey Bosa, still working to get into football shape to start the season will hurt the Chargers during the first half of this year.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11 at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET
The Chiefs have won four straight games against the Chargers, with San Diego last defeating Kansas City 27-24 in overtime at the end of the 2013 season to clinch a postseason berth. Kansas City will make it five straight here, although the Chargers, seven-point underdogs, should cover. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Chiefs are 33-23 all-time in home openers. Record: 0-1.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Jaguars are improved and one of the trendy picks to make the playoffs this season. But the Chargers have taken five in a row from Jacksonville and are 36-20 all-time in home openers, per ESPN Stats & Information. Record: 1-1.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25 at Indianapolis Colts, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Colts had trouble protecting Andrew Luck last season. But the Chargers also had trouble generating pressure, particularly on the road. San Diego totaled just 15 sacks on the road last season, tied for No. 23 in the NFL. This game also is a homecoming for safety Dwight Lowery, who started 16 games for the Colts in 2015. Record: 1-2.
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2 vs. New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m. ET
Drew Brees returns to San Diego to play in Qualcomm Stadium for the first time since he joined the Saints in 2006. Brees is 2-0 against the Chargers. The Saints finished second to last in the NFL in total defense in 2015. New Orleans will have trouble slowing down Philip Rivers and San Diego’s potent offense. Record: 2-2.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9 at Oakland Raiders, 4:25 p.m. ET
San Diego’s last win in the AFC West occurred against the Raiders in Oakland two years ago. The matchups between the teams are usually close, but I’ll take the home team here. One matchup I’m interested to watch is Oakland receiver Amari Cooper against San Diego cornerback Jason Verrett. Record: 2-3.
Week 6: Thursday, Oct. 13, vs. Denver Broncos, 8:25 p.m. ET
The Chargers will be coming off a short week when they get their first crack at the defending Super Bowl champs. Rookie Paxton Lynch could be starting at quarterback by this point of the season for the Broncos. How the Chargers defend Gary Kubiak’s zone-running scheme will be critical in this game. Record: 3-3.
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, at Atlanta Falcons, 4:05 p.m. ET
The Chargers should be well-rested, with 10 days to prepare for the Falcons. Atlanta will have traveled to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Seahawks the week before this matchup, so the Falcons could be pretty beat up. Record: 3-4.
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30 at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET
It’s tough duty for the Chargers playing the Broncos twice in 17 days, with the second meeting on the road. San Diego played Denver tough at Sports Authority Field last year, but this season will be different. Record: 3-5.
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6 vs. Tennessee Titans, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Chargers gave up 288 rushing yards to the Titans during preseason play, so San Diego has to do a better job stopping the run. I’ll take the experience of Rivers over the athleticism and explosive playmaking ability of Marcus Mariota. Record: 4-5.
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, vs. Miami Dolphins, 4:05 p.m. ET
The Dolphins play at Qualcomm Stadium for a second year in a row. San Diego native Arian Foster returns to his hometown as part of a running back tandem with Jay Ajayi for Miami. And Mike McCoy’s protégé Adam Gase leads the Dolphins. I’ll take Rivers over a hot-and-cold Ryan Tannehill. Record: 5-5.
Week 11: Bye
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27 at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET
Younger brother Derek Watt, a fullback for the Chargers, faces older brother J.J. Watt for the first time in an NFL game. It will be interesting to see the two brothers collide on the field. The Texans are playing a well-rested San Diego squad on a short week after facing the Raiders on the road in a Monday Night Football tilt. But San Diego lets this one slip away. Record: 5-6.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Chargers are 8-2 all-time against Tampa Bay and the team’s only home loss to the Buccaneers occurred in 1996. Enough said. Record: 6-6.
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11 at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
Former San Diego defensive coordinator Ron Rivera faces his old team, along with ex-Chargers fullback Mike Tolbert. San Diego’s defense struggles against mobile quarterbacks and Cam Newton is perhaps the best running quarterback in the league. Record: 6-7.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18 vs. Oakland Raiders, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Chargers need to win this game to have any realistic expectation of making the postseason. Oakland quarterback Derek Carr is an ascending player, but he had a 69.9 passer rating in the month of December last year. Record: 7-7.
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 24 at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
Most NFL observers are down on the Browns this season, but with Hue Jackson leading them, Cleveland will be prepared and well-coached. And San Diego still has to travel across the country and play in a tough environment on the road. Record: 7-8.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. ET
For the third time in four seasons, the Chargers could have a chance to clinch a postseason berth with a win over the Chiefs in the last regular-season game. How many healthy bodies the Chargers have at their disposal will go a long way toward determining the outcome of this game. Record: 7-9.