nfl

Chargers 2023 schedule release analysis

The Chargers schedule has been released in typical anime fashion, but here is a quick analysis.

COSTA MESA, Calif. — The 2023 NFL schedule has been released. It feels like NFL schedule release day is the Super Bowl for most social media teams.

The Chargers used anime again to release their schedule and they weren’t playing around. On the field though, Justin Herbert and Co. feature six nationally televised games, so fans will be able to see plenty of the Chargers this season.

WEEK: 1
OPPONENT: Miami Dolphins
DATE: Sept. 10, 2023
AT: SoFi Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Dolphins lead 19-17-0
LAST MEETING: Dec. 11, 2022 — Chargers 23-17, at SoFi Stadium
QUICK THOUGHTS: Chargers are starting off the season with a bang. It is Justin Herbert versus Tua Tagovailoa for the third time in their careers. Herbert got the better of the Dolphins last season but this time the Dolphins will have former Broncos head coach Vic Fangio as their defensive coordinator. That means expect a tougher performance by the defense that added Jalen Ramsey in the offseason as well. It should be an electric game with the Chargers starting things off at home.

WEEK: 2
OPPONENT: Tennessee Titans
DATE: Sept. 17, 2023
AT: Nissan Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Chargers lead 29-18-1
LAST MEETING: Dec. 18, 2022 — Chargers 17-14, at SoFi Stadium
QUICK THOUGHTS: It will be the Chargers defense that will be featured in this game trying to stop Titans running back Derrick henry. They did a semi-good job last season against him, but it is a new season. They will need to slow him down to win this game.

WEEK: 3
OPPONENT: Minnesota Vikings
DATE: Sept. 24, 2023
AT: U.S. Bank Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Vikings lead 8-6-0
LAST MEETING: Nov. 14, 2021 — Vikings 27-20, at SoFi Stadium
QUICK THOUGHTS: This will be the return of linebacker Eric Kendricks to Minnesota since he left in free agency. Vikings have a tough team and their offense is scary because of receiver Justin Jefferson. Expect a high scoring game.

WEEK: 4
OPPONENT: Las Vegas Raiders
DATE: Oct. 1, 2023
AT: SoFi Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Raiders lead 67-57-2
LAST MEETING: Dec. 4, 2022 — Raiders 27-20, at Las Vegas
QUICK THOUGHTS: The first divisional game of the season. The Chargers have to start winning divisional games if they expect to win the division. This will be their first look at a Jimmy G lead Raiders offense. They will need to slow down Josh Jacobs, who gave them problems last season.

WEEK 5: *BYE*

WEEK: 6
OPPONENT: Dallas Cowboys (MNF)
DATE: Oct. 16, 2023
AT: SoFi Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Cowboys lead 7-5-0
LAST MEETING: Sept. 19, 2021 — Cowboys 20-17, at SoFi Stadium
QUICK THOUGHTS: Kellen Moore versus Mike McCarthy. This is the first opportunity that Moore has to get revenge on his former team and it is on the national stage.

WEEK: 7
OPPONENT: Kansas City Chiefs
DATE: Oct. 22, 2023
AT: Arrowhead Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Chiefs lead 57-67-1
LAST MEETING: Nov. 20, 2022 — Chiefs 30-27, at SoFi Stadium
QUICK THOUGHTS: The first game of the season between Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. Every time these two have faced off since Herbert came in week two in 2020 the games have been explosive that come down to the end of the game. Kansas City is still the best team in the NFL and will try to keep showing the Chargers they run the AFC West. The Chargers will be looking to show them they have inched closer to having a team that can compete with them.

WEEK: 8
OPPONENT: Chicago Bears (SNF)
DATE: Oct. 29, 2023
AT: SoFi Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Bears lead 7-6-0
LAST MEETING: Oct. 27, 2019 — Chargers 17-16, at Chicago
QUICK THOUGHTS: Justin Fields is electric, and the Bears front office gave him some brand-new weapons like receiver DJ Moore, so expect the Bears offense to be much improved. This will be a primetime quarterback matchup.

WEEK: 9
OPPONENT: New York Jets (ESPN)
DATE: Nov. 6, 2023
AT: MetLife Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Chargers lead 23-14-1
LAST MEETING: Nov. 22, 2020 — Chargers 34-28, at SoFi Stadium
QUICK THOUGHTS: Aaron Rodgers faces Justin Herbert on Monday Night Football. What is more fun than that? It gives the Chargers a chance to face one of the best defenses in the NFL while also testing their defense against one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

WEEK: 10
OPPONENT: Detroit Lions
DATE: Nov. 12, 2023
AT: SoFi Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Chargers lead 7-5-0
LAST MEETING: Sept. 15, 2019 — Lions 13-10, at Detroit
QUICK THOUGHTS: The Lions are one of the favorites to win their division and surprise folks according to experts. The Chargers defense will need to be able to contain the firepower this offense contains in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

WEEK: 11
OPPONENT: Green Bay Packers
DATE: Nov. 19, 2023
AT: Lambeau Field
SERIES HISTORY: Packers lead 10-2-0
LAST MEETING: Nov. 03, 2019 — Chargers 26-11, at Carson, CA
QUICK THOUGHTS: The first matchup between Justin Herbert and Jordan Love. Glimpses of Love have been seen but this will be his first season as the Packers starting quarterback. The Packers feature a solid defense, so it will be a good test for Herbert and Co.

WEEK: 12
OPPONENT: Baltimore Ravens (SNF)
DATE: Nov. 26, 2023
AT: SoFi Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Ravens lead 8-6-0
LAST MEETING: Oct. 17, 2021 — Ravens 34-6, at Baltimore
QUICK THOUGHTS: The Ravens embarrassed the Chargers the last time they faced off, so this game should be interesting in primetime. The Ravens have paid Lamar Jackson and added weapons like Odell Beckham Jr. and drafted Zay Flowers. Ravens have some fire power.

WEEK: 13
OPPONENT: New England Patriots
DATE: Dec. 3, 2023
AT: Gillette Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Patriots lead 27-15-2
LAST MEETING: Oct. 31, 2021 — Patriots 27-24, at SoFi Stadium
QUICK THOUGHTS: The Chargers don’t play well against the Patriots. In fact, Cam Newton and Mac Jones have wins over them, so they will need to try to rebound. Going to New England in December is always tough.

WEEK: 14
OPPONENT: Denver Broncos
DATE: Dec. 10, 2023
AT: SoFi Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Broncos lead 55-70-1
LAST MEETING: Jan. 08, 2023 — Broncos 31-28, at Denver
QUICK THOUGHTS: First chance the Chargers get to face Sean Payton and his new look Broncos teams. This could either be another big time divisional game or one of these teams is already out of the playoff race.

WEEK: 15
OPPONENT: Las Vegas Raiders (TNF)
DATE: Dec. 14, 2023
AT: Allegiant Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Raiders lead 67-57-2
LAST MEETING: Dec. 4, 2022 — Raiders 27-20, at Las Vegas
QUICK THOUGHTS: Second look at the Raiders.

WEEK: 16
OPPONENT: Buffalo Bills (Saturday Night Football)
DATE: Dec. 23, 2023
AT: SoFi Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Chargers lead 25-13-2
LAST MEETING: Nov. 29, 2020 — Bills 27-17, at Buffalo
QUICK THOUGHTS: This game will be a Saturday prime time game that will be exclusively on the Peacock app. It also features two of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL between Josh Allen and Justin Herbert. This could be a playoff positioning matchup late in December.

WEEK: 17
OPPONENT: Denver Broncos
DATE: Dec. 31, 2023
AT: Empower Field at Mile High
SERIES HISTORY: Broncos lead 55-70-1
LAST MEETING: Jan. 08, 2023 — Broncos 31-28, at Denver
QUICK THOUGHTS: Second meeting between the Broncos and the Chargers. This will be tough because the Chargers generally don’t do well in Denver.

WEEK: 18
OPPONENT: Kansas City Chiefs
DATE: Jan. 6 or 7, 2024
AT: SoFi Stadium
SERIES HISTORY: Chiefs lead 57-67-1
LAST MEETING: Nov. 20, 2022 — Chiefs 30-27, at SoFi Stadium
QUICK THOUGHTS: This game will end the season. It would be awesome if this final game would be for the division winner. In reality, it could be the Chiefs rest their starters preparing for the playoffs and the Chargers need to win to be in. Hopefully the fans aren’t cheated and get the second game of Mahomes versus Herbert of the season.