The Chargers’ season has been ugly from the jump, but the next two weeks might finally offer a way out of the mess.
At 0-8, Los Angeles has already gone far beyond what anyone expected from a team with Justin Herbert at quarterback. The schedule was tough, sure, but winless this deep into the year was never supposed to be the outcome. And the biggest issue hasn’t just been the record - it’s been the offense that has repeatedly let the team down.
That trend didn’t change Sunday, when the defense joined the struggle in a rough outing against the Texans. Houston carved up the Chargers for five C.J. Stroud touchdown passes, leaving L.A. with another loss and even less margin for hope.
Still, the path to a first win may be opening up.
There could be changes coming this week, with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel running out of chances to keep his job. But even beyond any internal shakeup, the schedule itself is starting to soften.
The Chargers head to Baltimore for “Monday Night Football” in Week 10, and the Ravens are hardly rolling. They’ve dropped four straight and had trouble moving the ball against the Jaguars in Week 9.
Baltimore is expected to start veteran Jacoby Brissett, not third-string quarterback Joe Fagnano, though the Ravens are still favored at home. That says plenty about how rough things have been for the Chargers.
Even so, this is a more manageable spot than what L.A. has faced for much of the season. The Chargers have spent recent weeks running into teams with playoff ambitions and even Super Bowl expectations, so a trip to a reeling Ravens team at least gives them a shot.
If that doesn’t do it, Week 11 may be even more inviting. The Jets come to town with a 2-7 record and four straight losses, and they’ve allowed at least 28 points in each of their last three games. For a Chargers offense looking for any kind of opening, that kind of defense is exactly the sort of opponent it needs right now.
Nothing can be assumed with this team anymore, but the next stretch looks far more workable than the one that brought them here. After facing the Bills, Chiefs and Rams, the Chargers are about to get a softer run.
Here’s the rest of their schedule:
Nov. 16 at Ravens - 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 22 vs.
Jets - 4 p.m.
Nov. 29 vs.
Patriots - 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 6 at Buccaneers - 1 p.m.
Dec. 13 at Raiders - 4 p.m.
Dec. 17 vs. 49ers - 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 27 at Dolphins - 1 p.m.
Jan. 3 vs.
Chiefs - TBD
Jan. 10 at Broncos - TBD
Five of the Chargers’ next seven opponents have losing records, so the road ahead is easier than what they’ve already endured. But the Patriots, 49ers, Chiefs and Broncos are still on the slate, and that means the work isn’t close to done.
There’s no playoff path left for Los Angeles this season, even if the math won’t officially close the door for a little while longer. From here on out, the goal is simpler: show something real before 2027.
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