Why Chargers’ nightmarish winless streak might soon be over originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chargers‘ early-season schedule looked daunting from the start, but 0-8 was virtually unfathomable given Justin Herbert’s presence at quarterback.
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Not only has L.A. failed to manage a win this season, but it’s the offense that has consistently been the problem.
On Sunday, the defense matched the offense with an equally as abysmal performance against a hungry Texans team, allowing five C.J. Stroud touchdown passes.
Chargers fans understandably have little hope at the moment with this season already lost, but there is reason to believe L.A. can end its losing streak very soon. Here’s why.
MORE:Ranking the worst offensive performances in Week 9
Changes could be on tap for the Chargers this week, as offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is running out of opportunities to save his job. The good news for the franchise is simply who’s on their upcoming schedule.
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The Chargers face the struggling Ravens on “Monday Night Football” in Week 10, after Baltimore lost four consecutive games and had a hard time moving the ball against the Jaguars in Week 9.
L.A. won’t have the luxury of facing third-string QB Joe Fagnano, in all likelihood, as veteran QB Jacoby Brissett is in line to make his first start as a Raven. In fact, Baltimore is favored at home despite its quarterback uncertainty, which speaks to the type of season the Chargers have had.
Still, it’s an opening for Jim Harbaugh’s team after several weeks playing squads with playoff and even Super Bowl hopes.
If a win isn’t in the cards in Week 10, it could be in Week 11 when the Chargers host the Jets. New York is just 2-7 and has lost four straight as well, surrendering at least 28 points in each of its last three. That kind of defense is exactly what the Chargers need to face right now.
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No game should be taken for granted for this Chargers team, but facing the Ravens and Jets in their current states after a stretch of the schedule that included the Bills, Chiefs and Rams is a welcomed change of pace for the NFL’s most disappointing team.
MORE: The Sporting News’ NFL trade deadline predictions
Here’s what the rest of the season looks like for the Chargers:
|
Date |
Matchup |
Time (ET) |
|
Nov. 16 |
at Ravens |
8:15 p.m. |
|
Nov. 22 |
vs. Jets |
4 p.m. |
|
Nov. 29 |
vs. Patriots |
8:20 p.m. |
|
Dec. 6 |
at Buccaneers |
1 p.m. |
|
Dec. 13 |
at Raiders |
4 p.m. |
|
Dec. 17 |
vs. 49ers |
8:15 p.m. |
|
Dec. 27 |
at Dolphins |
1 p.m. |
|
Jan. 3 |
vs. Chiefs |
TBD |
|
Jan. 10 |
at Broncos |
TBD |
Five of L.A.’s next seven opponents have a losing record, so the path forward is about to get a bit easier for Herbert and co., but the Chargers still have to face the Patriots, 49ers, Chiefs and Broncos this season.
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There is no scenario in which the Chargers will be a playoff team this season, even if they can’t be mathematically eliminated for a few more weeks, so the back half of their schedule will be all about making some kind of tangible progress ahead of 2027.
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