LA Chargers Schedule Sparks Debate as Analysts Go Low on Win Predictions
The 2025 NFL schedule has officially been released, and with it comes the annual tradition of fans and analysts alike predicting records and debating expectations. For the Los Angeles Chargers, a team coming off an 11-win season and a playoff berth, the projections are all over the place. While optimism runs high among the fanbase, ESPN’s Chargers beat reporter Kris Rhim offered a far less rosy outlook, predicting that the Bolts won’t hit double-digit wins this season. In his post-schedule analysis, Rhim wrote: “The Chargers won't win double-digit games. Of the Chargers' 11 wins last season, just three came over teams with a winning record… With a much harder schedule and the Chargers roster not much improved from last season, it will be an uphill battle for this team to hit double-digit wins in 2025.” Chargers Twitter didn’t take that lightly. After all, the team is entering year two under head coach Jim Harbaugh, and there’s genuine belief in his system after a major turnaround season. However, as unpopular as Rhim’s take may be, it’s not without merit.
The 2024 Chargers benefited from the NFL’s fifth-easiest schedule. Only three of their 11 wins came against winning teams, and they struggled mightily against top-tier competition. Including their blowout loss to Houston in the AFC Wild Card round, LA had a point differential of -48 in games against winning opponents. Their 2025 slate will be no cakewalk. The Bolts are set to face stronger quarterbacks and more complete rosters across the board. Gone are the days of facing backup QBs and rookie starters. This time, the schedule kicks off in Brazil against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, followed by divisional clashes with the Raiders and Broncos. It’s the first time since 1988 that LA has opened a season with three straight divisional matchups.
Add to that the fact that the Chargers will travel a league-high 37,086 miles across the season—more than any team in NFL history—and fatigue could become a real factor. Despite the harder path, some analysts remain confident. Eric D. Williams predicts the Chargers will match their 2024 record and go 11-6 again, highlighting key factors like the return of WR Mike Williams and new offensive additions Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris. Williams also points to defensive continuity under coordinator Jesse Minter as a stabilizing force. His logic? LA may have tougher home games, seven against 2024 playoff teams, but their road opponents—such as the Giants, Titans, and Jaguars—are all beatable.
Meanwhile, Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated landed somewhere in the middle, projecting a 9-8 finish and a third-place division standing behind the Chiefs and Broncos. He even took a shot at the Chargers’ fan support, saying, "Los Angeles almost always feels like the road team, whether at SoFi Stadium or elsewhere." Fans were quick to push back, noting the team ranked mid-pack in both home and away attendance in 2024. Kris Rhim's take might not be popular, but it’s grounded in facts. The Chargers face a much tougher slate this year, and while Harbaugh proved he can turn things around quickly, replicating or improving on last year’s record won’t come easily. Still, with a healthy roster and momentum from a successful 2024, there’s reason to believe the Bolts can rise to the challenge. Whether they hit double-digit wins again may depend less on talent and more on endurance, discipline, and how they handle adversity on the road.
