The Los Angeles Chargers have had two consecutive 11-6 seasons under Jim Harbaugh. Both seasons ended with a wild-card berth from the AFC West and a quick playoff exit.
With a new offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel and a new defensive coordinator in Chris O'Leary, Harbaugh is hoping some notable staff changes will help raise the execution from the personnel to take the jump in the division with better postseason results.
The Chargers, however, also might be in danger of taking a step back, based on their 2026 schedule. Here's breaking Los Angeles' latest tricky slate:
Los Angeles Chargers schedule 2026
Home opponents: Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders, Patriots, Jets, Texans, Cardinals, 49ers
Away opponents: Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders, Bills, Dolphins, Ravens, Rams, Seahawks, Buccaneers
Every NFL team's 2026 opponents are predetermined. Chargers' full 2026 NFL schedule with dates, times and TV networks will be updated below when the NFL schedule is announced at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 14.
Week Date Opponent Kickoff time (ET) TV channel
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Chargers strength of schedule
The Chargers have the ninth-most difficult schedule based on the combined 2025 winning percentage of their 2025 opponents (.522). Much of that comes from playing the division champion 14-3 Broncos twice. They also can't count on seeing a weakened version of the Chiefs again.
Toughest tests: The Chargers also need to play the NFC West, which produced three playoff teams last season. The 49ers come to Los Angeles, while the Chargers have a neutral road game vs. the Rams and a true road game at the Seahawks. They also face the Patriots and Texans at home and the Bills and Ravens on the road, getting no breaks coming off a second-place finish.
Biggest breaks: The Chargers need to take advantage of the two Raiders games, because there's not much reprieve beyond the Jets and Cardinals at home. They also play the Dolphins, but that's a long road trip from Southern California to South Florida.
Chargers record prediction
Over/under win total: 10.5
Bottom line: The Chargers, unfortunately, are facing a brutal schedule that will cause them to slip vs. get to a dozen wins or more to contend for the division. This win total is based on the consecutive 11 victories, but between the challenge of change and an inflated state, there will be a regression in record enough to deny them a third straight playoff trip.
Record prediction: 8-9