Schedule Challenges Ahead for the Los Angeles Chargers

As the Los Angeles Chargers push toward a potential playoff berth in 2025, their remaining schedule stands as a critical test of their resilience, depth, and ability to perform under pressure. What began as a relatively manageable slate has evolved into a gauntlet of tough divisional rivals, road games in hostile environments, and short rest periods—all factors that could make or break their postseason hopes. Schedule Challenges Ahead for the Los Angeles Chargers breaks down the key obstacles the team faces, from back-to-back matchups against AFC West powerhouses to weather-related wildcards, and examines how head coach Jim Harbaugh’s squad is preparing to overcome them. For a team aiming to end a three-year playoff drought, navigating these challenges isn’t just about winning games—it’s about proving they can thrive when the odds are stacked against them.

Schedule Challenges Ahead for the Los Angeles Chargers begins with the most daunting part of their remaining slate: back-to-back divisional games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders. The Chargers first travel to Arrowhead Stadium in Week 15 to face the Chiefs—a team they beat 27-24 earlier in the season but have struggled to defeat on the road (just 3 wins in their last 10 trips to Kansas City). The Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, have already locked up a playoff spot and will be fighting for the AFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the conference, meaning they’ll bring maximum intensity. Just six days later, the Chargers host the Raiders in Week 16—a rivalry game where emotions run high, and upsets are common. The Raiders, though currently out of playoff contention, have a history of spoiling the Chargers’ plans (they beat the Chargers twice in 2024) and will be motivated to play the role of “spoiler.” “Back-to-back divisional games are always tough, but these two are especially challenging,” said Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. “The Chiefs have one of the best offenses in the league, and the Raiders always bring their A-game against us. We need to be locked in for both.”

Schedule Challenges Ahead for the Los Angeles Chargers delves into the issue of short rest, a factor that could test the Chargers’ depth and physical stamina. After their Week 15 game in Kansas City (a 1 p.m. ET kickoff), the Chargers have just five days to recover before hosting the Raiders on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. Short rest is brutal for any NFL team, but it’s particularly tough on the Chargers’ defense, which relies on edge rushers Joey Bosa and Odafe Oweh to generate pressure—players who already log heavy snaps and deal with constant physical wear and tear. The Chargers’ coaching staff has already adjusted their practice schedule to account for the short week, cutting back on full-contact drills and focusing on walkthroughs to preserve players’ bodies. They’ve also emphasized recovery, bringing in additional trainers and nutritionists to help players replenish energy and reduce soreness. “Short weeks are a reality of the NFL, but they force you to be smart about how you use your players,” said Harbaugh. “We’ll rely on our depth more in that Raiders game—guys like Chris Rumph II and Malik McDowell on defense need to step up so Bosa and Oweh can stay fresh.”

Schedule Challenges Ahead for the Los Angeles Chargers examines the impact of three remaining road games, including trips to Buffalo and Cincinnati—cities known for harsh winter weather and hostile fan bases. The Chargers travel to Buffalo in Week 17 to face the Bills, a team that leads the NFL in sacks (42) and has one of the league’s top defenses against the pass. Buffalo in January is also a wildcard: temperatures often drop below freezing, and snow or wind could disrupt Herbert’s passing game, which relies on precision and timing. The Chargers’ last trip to Buffalo in 2023 ended in a 24-17 loss, with wind gusts of 30 mph making it difficult to throw the ball. A week later, they travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals in a potential playoff preview—another road game where the crowd (at Paycor Stadium) will be loud and the Bengals’ offense (led by Joe Burrow) will be hungry for a win. For the Los Angeles Chargers, road games in tough weather and loud stadiums require mental toughness and adaptability—traits they’ve been working on all season. “We’ve practiced with loud crowd noise and even set up a cold-weather tent at our facility to simulate Buffalo’s conditions,” said Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen. “You can’t let the environment beat you—you have to use it as motivation.”

Schedule Challenges Ahead for the Los Angeles Chargers explores how injuries could exacerbate these schedule challenges, especially with key players already dealing with nagging issues. Bosa has been playing through a minor calf strain since Week 12, and while he hasn’t missed any games, the strain could worsen with the physical demands of back-to-back divisional games. Left tackle Rashawn Slater, who missed two games earlier in the season with a knee injury, is also on a “play-through-pain” plan, and the Chargers’ backup tackles (Storm Norton and Cameron Tom) have limited NFL experience. The Chargers’ depth at running back is also a concern: Austin Ekeler has been limited by an ankle injury, and backup Zamir White is dealing with a shoulder issue, leaving rookie Larry Rountree III as the only fully healthy option. For the Los Angeles Chargers, staying healthy over the next month will be just as important as winning games—if key players go down, their ability to navigate tough matchups will be severely compromised. “Injuries are part of the game, but they hit harder when you have a tough schedule,” said Chargers general manager Tom Telesco. “We’ve built depth where we can, but losing a guy like Bosa or Slater would be a big blow. We’re doing everything we can to keep our guys healthy.”

Schedule Challenges Ahead for the Los Angeles Chargers wraps up with how the team’s performance in these challenging games will define their season—and their legacy under Harbaugh. If the Chargers can win four of their remaining six games, they’ll likely secure a wild-card spot and could even challenge the Chiefs for the AFC West title. But a losing streak of two or more games could drop them out of the playoff picture entirely, especially with teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins nipping at their heels. Beyond the playoffs, these games will test whether the Chargers have truly transformed under Harbaugh—whether they’re a team that folds under pressure or one that rises to the occasion. “This schedule is a gift in disguise,” Harbaugh said in a recent team meeting. “It will show us who we really are. Can we win on the road? Can we play through injuries? Can we beat the best teams in the league? These next few weeks will answer those questions.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, the challenges ahead aren’t just obstacles—they’re opportunities to prove they’re no longer the “almost” team of years past. They have the talent, the coaching, and the motivation to succeed—but now, they need to execute when it matters most. As Herbert put it, “We’ve talked all season about wanting to be a playoff team. Now, we have to go out and earn it.”