Schedule Breakdown for the Los Angeles Chargers' Remaining Games

With six games left in the NFL regular season, the Los Angeles Chargers find themselves teetering on the edge of the AFC playoff picture—currently holding a 6-5 record and sitting just outside the wild-card spots. Their remaining schedule, a mix of divisional rivals, playoff contenders, and rebuilding teams, will determine whether they snap their five-year playoff drought or face another disappointing finish. This isn’t just a list of opponents; it’s a gauntlet that will test their resilience, roster depth, and ability to win in high-pressure situations. From back-to-back games against AFC West powerhouses to winnable matchups against teams with losing records, each contest carries unique stakes. Schedule Breakdown for the Los Angeles Chargers' Remaining Games breaks down each remaining game, its implications for the Chargers’ playoff hopes, and how the team can maximize its chances of success.

The first critical stretch of the Chargers’ remaining schedule comes in Weeks 13 and 14, with back-to-back divisional matchups against the Las Vegas Raiders (away) and Kansas City Chiefs (home)—two games that could make or break their AFC West title aspirations. The Raiders, currently tied with the Chargers at 6-5, have momentum from a four-game winning streak, and their running game (led by Josh Jacobs and rookie breakout Kimani Vidal’s counterpart, Devin Gray) will test the Chargers’ run defense, which ranks 20th in the NFL. For the Chargers, containing Jacobs and forcing the Raiders to rely on Jimmy Garoppolo’s passing will be key—especially if their own running game (now boosted by Vidal) can control the clock. The following week’s game against the Chiefs, the defending AFC West champions, is even more high-stakes: Kansas City has won 11 straight divisional games against the Chargers, and their explosive offense (led by Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce) will challenge the Chargers’ secondary, which has struggled with big plays. Winning one or both of these games would not only improve the Chargers’ divisional record but also give them a critical tiebreaker edge over rivals in the playoff race. Schedule Breakdown for the Los Angeles Chargers' Remaining Games frames this two-game stretch as a “playoff preview,” as it will reveal whether the Chargers can compete with the AFC’s elite.

After the tough divisional stretch, the Chargers get a much-needed reprieve in Weeks 15 and 16, facing two rebuilding teams: the New England Patriots (away) and the Arizona Cardinals (home)—games they must win to stay in the playoff hunt. The Patriots, currently 4-7 and struggling on offense (ranking 28th in total yards), have a depleted receiving corps and a quarterback rotation (Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe) that lacks consistency. This should give the Chargers’ defense, which has improved its pass rush in recent weeks (12 sacks in the last four games), a chance to dominate. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are 3-8 and focused on developing young talent (like rookie quarterback Clayton Tune), making them a prime opportunity for the Chargers to rest key players (if Austin Ekeler’s knee injury lingers) while still securing a win. These two games are “must-wins” not just for their win-loss record, but also for momentum: dropping either would put the Chargers in a nearly impossible hole, as their final two games are against playoff contenders. Schedule Breakdown for the Los Angeles Chargers' Remaining Games emphasizes that capitalizing on these matchups is non-negotiable—they’re the “breathing room” the Chargers need to stay in the race.

For the Los Angeles Chargers, the Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills (away) looms as one of the most challenging games of the remaining schedule, as the Bills are a legitimate Super Bowl contender with a top-five defense and an offense led by Josh Allen. Buffalo’s defense ranks first in sacks (40) and third in points allowed (17.2 per game), which will test the Chargers’ offensive line—still a work in progress despite recent improvements. The Bills also have a strong running game (led by James Cook), which could exploit the Chargers’ run defense weaknesses. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this game will require a near-perfect performance: Justin Herbert must avoid turnovers (he has 10 interceptions this season), the offensive line must protect him from Buffalo’s pass rush, and the defense must find a way to slow down Allen, who excels at extending plays with his legs. A win here would not only boost the Chargers’ playoff resume but also prove they can beat a top-tier team on the road—a confidence builder if they reach the postseason. Schedule Breakdown for the Los Angeles Chargers' Remaining Games notes that this game is a “litmus test” for the Chargers’ playoff readiness; if they can compete with the Bills, they’ll have a shot against any team in the AFC.

The Los Angeles Chargers wrap up their regular season in Week 18 with a home game against the Denver Broncos, a divisional rival that has struggled this season (4-7) but has a history of playing spoilers against the Chargers. Denver’s defense, led by linebacker Bradley Chubb and cornerback Pat Surtain II, can still cause problems—Surtain held Davante Adams to just 45 yards in their earlier matchup—and their running game (Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine) could control the clock if the Chargers’ run defense doesn’t step up. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this game’s stakes will depend on their standing entering Week 18: if they’re already in the playoffs, it could be a chance to rest key players; if they’re fighting for a wild-card spot, it will be a win-or-go-home scenario. Even if the Broncos are out of contention, they’ll likely play hard—divisional pride and the chance to derail the Chargers’ season will motivate them. The Chargers’ ability to stay focused, even if the game feels “meaningless” or “high-pressure,” will reflect their maturity as a team. Schedule Breakdown for the Los Angeles Chargers' Remaining Games explores how this final game, while against a struggling opponent, still carries risks—complacency could cost the Chargers a playoff spot.

Finally, the overall structure of the Chargers’ remaining schedule offers both challenges and opportunities, and their success will hinge on their ability to balance intensity and rest. The early divisional stretch (Raiders, Chiefs) requires maximum effort to stay in the AFC West race; the middle stretch (Patriots, Cardinals) demands consistency to avoid costly upsets; and the final two games (Bills, Broncos) need focus to either secure a playoff spot or prepare for the postseason. For the Los Angeles Chargers, roster health will be a wild card—keeping Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, and Joey Bosa healthy is critical, as injuries to any of these stars could derail their chances. Additionally, the emergence of Kimani Vidal gives the Chargers a new weapon to lean on, especially in short-yardage situations and when Ekeler needs rest. If the Chargers can win four of their remaining six games—taking one divisional game, both winnable matchups, and one of the two tough contests (Bills or Broncos)—they’ll likely secure a wild-card spot. Schedule Breakdown for the Los Angeles Chargers' Remaining Games concludes that this schedule is not a death sentence, but it’s also not a free pass: the Chargers have the talent to make the playoffs, but they’ll need to execute, avoid mistakes, and embrace the pressure of each remaining game. For fans, this stretch will be a rollercoaster—but it’s also a chance to see if the Chargers can finally turn potential into progress.