Ranking best games for LA Chargers after 2026 NFL schedule release
The Los Angeles Chargers will begin their third season with Jim Harbaugh at the helm. Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert led the team to an 11-6 record and were second in the AFC West division behind the Denver Broncos . The Bolts fell short in the playoffs, losing 16-3 to the New England Patriots in the Wild Card round. The Chargers will look to carry that momentum into the upcoming season, having reached the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. The Chargers produced a solid defense in 2025 but are hoping to remain healthy on offense to maximize their opportunity with Herbert under center. Here are five games that could help define the Chargers' season : The Chargers will travel to take on the Buffalo Bills in what is likely to be an offensive battle. It will be important for the Chargers to succeed with their revamped pass rush and apply pressure to opposing quarterback Josh Allen . It will be the first time the two teams have played since Dec. 23, 2023. The game proved close, with Buffalo prevailing 24-22. Herbert did not play in the game, leaving backup quarterback Easton Stick to be sacked five times. If Herbert and Allen are healthy for the Week 3 game, it will be featured as a battle between two of the league’s premier quarterbacks. The Chargers' offense could play inspired football in support of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who previously served as the head coach in Miami for the past four seasons. McDaniel was relieved of his duties after finishing with a .500 record (35-35) during his tenure. He went 0-2 in playoff games. The Chargers produced a 29-27 victory in a close outing against the Dolphins last October. Herbert completed 29 of 38 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Cameron Dicker was responsible for 17 points on the day, making all five of his field goals and two extra point attempts. The two teams have exchanged wins over the last six matches. Drake Maye and the Patriots managed to get the best of the Chargers during the playoffs last season, giving the Bolts more reason to have the game circled on the calendar. This regular-season matchup will take place on Sunday Night Football. The Chargers had won the last two games, both on the road, before the playoff loss. Looking at the series, the Patriots have a 28-17-2 record, with the Chargers winning just three of the last 13 games. Herbert struggled to generate any offense for the Chargers, completing just 19 of 31 pass attempts for 159. He was sacked six times by the Patriots' defense, with three coming from Jayson Oweh. Herbert also fumbled twice, losing one of the pair. Herbert was sacked 54 times throughout the season, third most among NFL quarterbacks. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs had a down season after finishing with a 6-11 record, but the team will likely be another strong competitor for the division title. The Chargers swept the Chiefs with a combined score of 43-34 in both meetings last year. It was a bounce-back season in the series against Kansas City , who had won the last seven meetings before the 2025 season. The Chargers earned the first meeting in the series back in the 1960s, but it is the Chiefs that have pulled away with the series lead over the years at 71-60-1. It remains uncertain when Bo Nix will have full clearance after having a follow-up procedure on his fractured ankle in late April, but expect the Broncos and the Chargers to be serious contenders again to compete for the division crown this season. Both games in the division series could determine who earned one of the top seeds in the AFC playoffs, with the other fighting for a wildcard bid. The Broncos' pass rush produced nine total sacks during the two games played between the two teams last season. Herbert was sacked five times during the first game against the Broncos back in September. Backup quarterback Trey Lance started for the Chargers in the January meeting and was sacked four times on the road. This article [... truncated ...]