Improving Los Angeles Chargers Are Slated For Five Prime-Time Games

The Los Angeles Chargers have become a darling of the NFL and the proof was when their schedule was released.

The Chargers, behind standout quarterback Justin Herbert, will appear in five prime-time games as they seek to produce consecutive playoff seasons for the first time since they advanced four straight times from 2006-09.

L.A. opens its campaign against the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 5.

That’s the first of three straight games against divisional foes for the Chargers, something last done by L.A. in 1988.

The second one is a “Monday Night Football” matchup at the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 15 as they welcome new coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Gino Smith. L.A. is 6-5 against the Raiders on Monday and it will be a spirited series considering the history between Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh and Carroll.

The final AFC West game in the opening three weeks arrives when the Denver Broncos come to SoFI Stadium on Sept. 21.

The Chargers will then make their first of two cross-country treks in three weeks when seeking their fifth-straight win over the New York Giants on Sept. 28.

Yet another NFC East rival follows when L.A. host the improving Washington Commanders on Oct. 5. Then its another three time-zone trip to face the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 12.

The Colts, with their unsettled situation at quarterback, are the visiting opponent on Oct. 19.

The Minnesota Vikings are at Sofi Stadium the following week, in what could be a showdown between ex-Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Harbaugh, his coach at Michigan.

L.A. opens November with a road trip to the Tennessee Titans (Nov. 2) and then a home date with the Pittsburgh Steelers (Nov. 9)

It’s the back to the East Coast when the Chargers face the Jacksonville Jaguars (Nov. 16). L.A. has feasted on the Jags of late, winning nine of the last 13 games and four of five on the road.

The Chargers settled in for a two-game home run after their Week 12 bye. They’ll complete their season-series with the Raiders (Nov. 30) and then face the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in another prime-time affair on “Monday Night Football” on Dec. 8.

Then it’s back on the road for two weeks, with a date with the Chiefs (Dec. 14) and the Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 21), where the Chargers have won three straight.

They face new Dallas coach Kellen Moore, who interviewed for the Chargers’ job that went to Harbaugh. Moore is a former Chargers offensive coordinator.

The curtain falls on the regular-season home slate against the Houston Texans In Week 16 and Week 17 features a road game against the Broncos. The dates and times of the games will be determined.

The team’s preseason highlight is the Chargers playing the Detroit Lions (July 31) in the Hall of Fame Game. The other dates are a home against the New Orleans Saints (Aug. 10) and at the L.A. Rams (Aug. 16) and San Francisco 49ers (date to be determined).