Los Angeles Chargers: Predicting the 2025 Schedule
While the official NFL schedule for the 2025 season won’t be released until the spring of that year, we can make some educated guesses about the Los Angeles Chargers’ potential opponents based on the NFL’s scheduling formula. This formula ensures competitive balance and a variety of matchups.
The Opponents
Here’s a breakdown of how the Chargers’ 2025 opponents are likely to be determined:
- Home and Away vs. AFC West: This is a given. The Chargers will play each of their AFC West rivals – the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders – twice, once at home and once away. These are always crucial games for division standings and playoff contention. Expect intense battles against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
- Home vs. AFC North and NFC East: In 2025, the AFC West will play the entire AFC North and NFC East divisions. This means the Chargers will host one game each against a team from both those divisions. Potential home games could be against the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders. The specific matchups will depend on the previous season’s standings for each team.
- Away vs. AFC North and NFC East: Similarly, the Chargers will travel to face the remaining teams from the AFC North and NFC East that they didn’t host. This means road trips to some tough environments and marquee matchups.
- Two Games Based on 2024 Standings: This is where the schedule gets a bit more dynamic. The Chargers will play two additional games against teams from the AFC that finished in the same position in their respective divisions in 2024. For example, if the Chargers finish second in the AFC West in 2024, they will play the other two AFC teams that also finished second in their divisions (AFC South and AFC East). One of these games will be at home, the other away.
Potential Highlights
Based on these factors, potential highlights of the Chargers’ 2025 schedule could include:
- Divisional Rivalries: Games against the Chiefs are always must-watch. The Broncos, potentially with a new quarterback and coach, will also be compelling. The Raiders games are guaranteed to be intense, regardless of either team’s record.
- Cross-Conference Clashes: Games against the Dallas Cowboys or Philadelphia Eagles would bring huge national attention. Seeing Herbert go head-to-head against talented quarterbacks from the AFC North will also be exciting.
- Standings-Based Matchups: These games add an element of unpredictability. Depending on how the 2024 season unfolds, the Chargers could face some intriguing opponents with playoff implications on the line.
Factors Affecting the Final Schedule
Several factors can influence the exact dates and times of the games. TV networks play a crucial role in determining primetime slots, and the NFL tries to balance the schedule to avoid too many consecutive road games or short weeks for any one team. International games are also a possibility, although less likely for the Chargers in 2025. As we get closer to the spring of 2025, expect more rumors and leaks to surface, giving us a clearer picture of the Chargers’ upcoming season.