Almost everything about the Chargers has changed since the last time they played a game that counted in the standings last January. Jim Harbaugh was hired as coach. Joe Hortiz was hired as general manager. Old friends departed. New ones arrived. Expectations increased by leaps and bounds.
Or is it bounds and leaps?
After all, Harbaugh has been a winner everywhere he’s coached, not the least of which was at the University of Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to a 15-0 record and the national championship in the last of his nine seasons. It was a flawless ending to a stellar career in the NCAA.
What comes next is anyone’s guess. The Chargers are the Chargers, after all, and there’s no telling how much magic it’s going to take to transform them from a last-place team in the AFC West into a playoff contender. Harbaugh has worked wonders before, but can he do it again?
Here’s a week-by-week look at how the Chargers might fare in 2024:
Sept. 8: Las Vegas Raiders, 1:05 p.m., SoFi Stadium
The Chargers owe the Raiders a figurative punch in the nose or a literal thank you card. Las Vegas’ 63-21 beatdown last year prompted the firings of Brandon Staley as coach and Tom Telesco as GM, ushering in an era of change. Win. Record: 1-0.
Sept. 15: Carolina Panthers, 10 a.m., Bank of America Stadium
Harbaugh’s second game back in the NFL looms as a potential trap game. After all, this will be only the Chargers’ fourth visit to Carolina and their first since 2016. Still, it’s a bit of a soft landing, considering the state of the Panthers. Win. Record: 2-0.
Sept. 22: Pittsburgh Steelers, 10 a.m., Acrisure Stadium
Justin Herbert became the first quarterback to throw for 350 yards and run for 90 when he led the Chargers to a comeback victory over the Steelers in the 2021 season. Can he do something similar when the Chargers visit Pittsburgh? Loss. Record: 2-1.
Sept. 29: Kansas City Chiefs, 1:25 p.m., SoFi Stadium
The Chargers have given the Chiefs fits over the last few seasons, but actually defeating them remains elusive. Kansas City is looking to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowl championships. Loss. Record: 2-2.
Oct. 6: Bye week
Oct. 13: Denver Broncos, 1:05 p.m., Mile High Stadium
Can the Chargers end a Mile High losing streak that dates to 2018? Will Herbert come out on top against Bo Nix in a matchup of excellent former University of Oregon quarterbacks? Loss. Record 2-3.
Oct. 21: Arizona Cardinals, 6 p.m., State Farm Stadium
Harbaugh and the Chargers make the first of their two appearances on Monday Night Football. The Chargers have won 11 of 15 matchups with the Cardinals, including a last-second 25-24 victory in 2022. Win. Record: 3-3.
Oct.27: New Orleans Saints, 1:05 p.m., SoFi Stadium.
The Chargers last played host to the Saints in 2016. Win. Record: 4-3.
Nov. 3: Cleveland Browns, 10 a.m., Cleveland Browns Stadium
Fun fact: The Chargers have won 14 of their past 18 games against the Browns, including a 30-28 victory in the 2022 season. Loss. Record: 4-4.
Nov. 10: Tennessee Titans, 1:05 p.m., SoFi Stadium
Last season’s overtime loss to the Titans indicated something was amiss with the Chargers and signaled that the end might be near for Staley. Win. Record: 5-4.
Nov. 17: Cincinnati Bengals, 1:25 p.m., SoFi Stadium
The Chargers have beaten Cincinnati in three consecutive games, but this one looms as a real slugfest. Loss. Record: 5-5.
Nov. 25: Baltimore Ravens, 5:15 p.m., SoFi Stadium
Harbaugh Bowl III, the third NFL meeting between brothers Jim and John Harbaugh, kicks off on Monday Night Football. There are plenty of other Chargers-Ravens connections, too many to recount here, in fact. Loss. Record: 5-6.
Dec. 1: Atlanta Falcons, 10 a.m., Mercedes Benz Stadium
December means must-win time around the NFL. Yes, yes, we know they’re all must-win games, but this month’s games really are must-win. Loss. Record: 5-7.
Dec. 8: Kansas City Chiefs, 5:20 p.m., Arrowhead Stadium
Somebody thought this would be a compelling game to show on Sunday Night Football, and given recent history, that somebody might be right. The Chiefs have won the past two in K.C. after the Chargers won the previous two. Loss. Record: 5-8.
Dec. 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:25 p.m., SoFi Stadium
Crunch time begins with a home date with the Bucs. Win. Record: 6-8.
Dec. 22: Denver Broncos, 1:05 pm., SoFi Stadium
Battle of the former Ducks (Part 2). Win. Record: 7-8.
Dec. 28 or 29: New England Patriots, TBD, Gillette Stadium
The Chargers squeegeed out a 6-0 victory in a driving rainstorm in their last visit to New England, an otherwise forgettable win in Week 13 last season. The weather might be equally frightful between the holidays. Win. Record: 8-8.
Jan. 4 or 5: Las Vegas Raiders, TDB, Allegiant Stadium
A winning record in Harbaugh’s first season and a possible playoff berth could be at stake when the Chargers return to Las Vegas. Could it get any better for the Chargers than to clinch both in Sin City? Win. Record: 9-8.
