Ranking the 5 biggest matchups on the Chargers 2026 schedule
· Yahoo Sports
All 32 NFL schedules will be released this evening at the same time. Obviously, this offseason event is a bigger deal for Chargers fans than most other franchise because, well, the Bolts’ social media team is just the best in the league. No contest. It’s always must-see art when the schedule release comes around for the Chargers and this year should be no different.
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Before we finally get to see the road to the 2026 playoffs, let’s take a look at the five biggest matchups for the Chargers.
1.) Kansas City Chiefs x2
This is always the biggest matchup on the schedule. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. The year goes the way of the outcome of this game. If the Chargers win, the year is already mostly a success. If they don’t it sure feels a bit bummed down knowing they still are the little brothers in the rivalry.
The starters for the Chargers were undefeated against the division. The Bolts beat the Chiefs in both games where Patrick Mahomes started. I cannot stress enough how big it would be for the outlook of the franchise if they could repeat that performance in 2026.
2.) Denver Broncos x2
The Broncos won the AFC West last year with some massive breaks going their way. The huge fourth-quarter comeback against the Giants was historic. They squeeked out several other close games. They also got to face the Chiefs’ backups in the regular season finale.
Teams that have had seasons like that tend to regress greatly the following year. That’s what I predict for the Broncos overall, but that doesn’t make these divisional matchups any less intense. In fact, I think they’ll be scarier on paper with the addition of wideout Jaylen Waddle on offense. Sean Payton is going to find ways for him to terrorize defenses and the Bolts will have to be ready to face him twice a year now for the foreseeable future.
3.) Houston Texans
Until the Chargers avenge their playoff loss from the 2024 season, this is going to be a matchup that means something to the team. Not only did they send the Bolts home that year, but they beat them again in 2025 behind an elite defense that walloped Justin Herbert on repeat.
With Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back and healthy this year, I’d expect that matchup to go quite a bit differently. If McDaniel is worth his salt, he’ll find a way to neutralize that Houston pass rush to give Herbert and the offense plenty of breathing room. At least, that’s the hope and reason why they hired him in the first place.
4.) New England Patriots
The Chargers will have multiple opportunities to get some revenge against teams that bounced them from the playoffs in recent years and after the offense scored just three points against New England in last season’s playoffs, the Bolts will have this one circled in red.
What makes this matchup even more exciting is that McDaniel has plenty of experience against this franchise. From 2022-2025, McDaniel was 5-3 against the Patriots. If he can muster up some of that magic against his old divisional rival, the Chargers could be in goods hands whenever they face the reigning AFC Champions.
5.) Baltimore Ravens
The Chargers will face their former defensive coordinator in his first year at the helm of the Ravens. He’ll be tasked with getting their defense up to par with the offense in hopes of punching their ticket back to the postseason after the franchise missed out on a trip in 2025.
Funny enough, both teams will have somewhat of an inside look at the opposing defense. The Chargers hired Chris O’Leary to keep their unit roughly the same while Minter isn’t expected to revamp his system, either. This game will seemingly come down to which team is able to execute better on offense. And what a show that could end up being between Herbert and Lamar Jackson.