Breaking down the AFC West schedules to predict final standings

The Los Angeles Chargers schedule features the second most primetime games in the AFC West, with four. Here’s what the full season schedule looks like (all times Central Time):

• Week 1 – Sunday, Sept. 8 – Colts @ Chargers – 3:05 p.m.
• Week 2- Sunday, Sept. 15 – Chargers @ Lions – 12:00 p.m.
• Week 3 – Sunday, Sept. 22 – Texans @ Chargers – 3:25 p.m.
• Week 4 – Sunday, Sept. 29 – Chargers @ Dolphins – 12:00 p.m.
• Week 5 – Sunday, Oct. 6 – Broncos @ Chargers – 3:05 p.m.
• Week 6 – Sunday, Oct. 13 – Steelers @ Chargers** – 7:20 p.m.
• Week 7 – Sunday, Oct. 20 – Chargers @ Titans – 3:05 p.m.
• Week 8 – Sunday, Oct. 27 – Chargers @ Bears – 12:00 p.m.
• Week 9 – Sunday, Nov. 3 – Packers @ Chargers – 3:25 p.m.
• Week 10 – Thursday, Nov. 7 – Chargers @ Raiders*** – 7:20 p.m.
• Week 11 – Monday, Nov. 18 – Chiefs @ Chargers (Mexico City) * – 7:15 p.m.
• Week 12 – BYE WEEK
• Week 13 – Sunday, Dec. 1 – Chargers @ Broncos 3:25 p.m.
• Week 14 – Sunday, Dec. 8 – Chargers @ Jaguars – 3:05 p.m.
• Week 15 – Sunday, Dec. 15 – Vikings @ Chargers** – 7:20 p.m.
• Week 16 – Sunday/Saturday, Dec 21/22 – Raiders @ Chargers – TBD
• Week 17 – Sunday, Dec. 29 – Chargers @ Chiefs – 12:00 p.m.
• * = Monday Night Football     ** = Sunday Night Football
  *** = Thursday Night Football

Like other teams in the AFC West, the Chargers’ schedule is quite loaded.

One game that could easily be overlooked is the Week 1 matchup against the Colts. With the hype surrounding the opening night game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears and the Sunday night spotlight going to the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s easy to miss. However, the game against the Colts has the potential to be one of the best games of the season. Featuring veteran quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Andrew Luck, this game could quickly turn into a true shootout.

Two of the Chargers’ most entertaining games will likely be their two games against the division rival Chiefs. The first one of these matchups comes in Week 11 and will feature a Monday night showdown in Mexico City. This will be a notable game to look forward to as the playoff race and division competition heats up. The second matchup will be the last game of the season, and could potentially have significant playoff implications.

With this tough schedule, my prediction is that the Chargers will go 12-4, with those losses to the Colts, Bears, and Chiefs twice.