The Los Angeles Chargers figure to be a hungry team in 2024. They are still smarting after a miserable 5-12 season that led to the dismissal of head coach Brandon Staley.
But optimism is high as Jim Harbaugh is the new coach, the team still has Justin Herbert at quarterback and the draft class looks solid. So how many games will this team win this coming season?
Will the Chargers get more than the 8.2 wins predicted by Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com? Let's take a game-by-game look and find out.
Los Angeles Chargers 2024 game-by-game predictions
Week 1 vs. Las Vegas
This will be a tough game to start the year as both teams need to get things off on the right foot, but the Chargers begin the Harbaugh era with a victory.
Prediction: Win
Week 2 at Carolina
The schedule sets up nicely for the Chargers to begin this season. The first road game is against an opponent still in rebuild mode.
Prediction: Win
Week 3 at Pittsburgh
The Steelers are going to be better this season than a lot of people think.
Prediction: Loss
Week 4 vs. Kansas City
This will be a good test at this stage of the year and Harbaugh is going to want to make a statement in his first battle as Chargers coach against Andy Reid. But they are the champs for a reason and will keep it close. However, the Chargers find a way to get a big early-season win.
Prediction: Win
Week 5: BYE Week
Week 6 at Denver
Off the bye week, the Chargers have a chance to get rolling but they slip on a banana peel in Denver, a team they generally struggle against.
Prediction: Loss
Week 7 at Arizona
Another road game against a weak opponent and the Chargers don't drop the ball again.
Prediction: Win
Week 8 vs. New Orleans
The Saints are a team that some consider to be a darkhorse this season but the Chargers won't have them come into SoFi and leave with a win.
Prediction: Win
Week 9 at Cleveland
A November game in Cleveland against a tough, stingy defense. This is the kind of game Harbaugh loves, but the Browns edge them out.
Prediction: Loss
Week 10 vs. Tennessee
The Titans spent a lot of money in free agency this offseason but the Chargers will be the better team when this game pops up on the schedule.
Prediction: Win
Week 11 vs. Cincinnati
This is one of those games where the Chargers will have a chance to show that they are a contender but the battle-tested Bengals, with a healthy Joe Burrow, will get a big win for themselves.
Prediction: Loss
Week 12 vs. Baltimore
The "Harbowl". John isn't going to beat Jim again, is he?
Prediction: Loss
Week 13 at Atlanta
Another tough spot here against a team that figures to be much better than it was last year. Chargers pull it out.
Prediction: Win
Week 14 at Kansas City
The Chiefs aren't going to be swept by any team in the division any time soon and they'll make a statement in this one.
Prediction: Loss
Week 15 vs. Tampa Bay
It's a home game but it may not be an easy one if Baker Mayfield plays like he did last season.
Prediction: Win
Week 16 vs. Denver
The Broncos have to come to SoFi and the Chargers have a big day as they look to close the season on a strong note.
Prediction: Win
Week 17 at New England
The post-Bill Belichick Patriots have a long way to go before they get to where they used to be.
Prediction: Win
Week 18 at Las Vegas
With a chance to end the season on a 4-game win streak, the Chargers fumble the chance in Vegas.
Prediction: Loss
Final Record: 10-7
That should put the Chargers in prime position for a Wild Card slot in the playoffs, which would have to be seen as a tremendous success following last year's result.
