Los Angeles Chargers schedule 2024: Takeaways, predictions
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Chargers' 2024 schedule was released along with the rest of the NFL slate Wednesday.
After finishing 5-12 last season, the Chargers were rewarded with the league's fifth-easiest schedule based on last season's opponent win percentage (.478).
The most anticipated matchup of the season will be when the Chargers play theBaltimore Ravensin Week 12 on "Monday Night Football." Coach Jim Harbaugh will coach against his brother John for the first since they faced each other in the Super Bowl 11 years ago. John was victorious 36-34 in that matchup but hasn't returned to a Super Bowl since.
Beyond the Harbaughs, that game will be a reunion for many players, coaches and front office staff with Baltimore ties. The Ravens' Week 1 starting backfield of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, most notably, are members of the Chargers now.
Here's what's in store for the Chargers:
Chargers 2024 regular-season schedule
Week 1: Sept. 8vs. Las Vegas
Week 2:Sept. 15 at Carolina
Week 3:Sept. 22 at Pittsburgh
Week 4:Sept. 29 vs. Kansas City
Week 5: BYE
Week 6:Oct. 13 at Denver
Week 7:Oct. 21 at Arizona (MNF)
Week 8:Oct. 27 vs. New Orleans
Week 9:Nov. 3 at Cleveland
Week 10:Nov. 10 vs. Tennessee
Week 11:Nov. 17 vs. Cincinnati
Week 12:Nov. 25 vs. Baltimore (MNF)
Week 13:Dec. 1 at Atlanta
Week 14:Dec. 8 at Kansas City (SNF)
Week 15:Dec. 15 vs. Tampa Bay
Week 16:Dec. 22 vs. Denver
Week 17:Dec. 28-29* at New England
Week 18: TBD* at Las Vegas
*Dates for Weeks 17 and 18 are to be determined
Strength of schedule:.478 (5th easiest)
Over/Under: 8.5
Biggest takeaway
The Chargers don't have a menacing schedule on paper, as evidenced by their strength of schedule. They play five playoff teams from last season (Kansas City Chiefs twice). For a team looking to bounce back after a struggling season and a coach eager to win, this schedule appears to give them as good a chance as they could have hoped.
Revenge game
Las Vegas Raiders and Chargers matchups have always been tense because of the teams' longstanding rivalry, but the first meeting of 2024 should have some added meaning for the Chargers. The last time these teams played, the Raiders handed the Chargers one of the most embarrassing losses in NFL history. The 63-21 pummeling by the Raiders, who had already fired their head coach and general manager, led to the firing of Chargers coach Brandon Stalkey and general manager Tom Telesco the following day.
Bold prediction
SoFi Stadium will have a proper home atmosphere for the Chargers for the first time since they returned to L.A. in 2017. Harbaugh's arrival has brought renewed excitement and anticipation for the Chargers, who often have been an afterthought in a crowded L.A. sports market.
