4 Observations From the Chargers' 2022 Regular Season Schedule Release
The Chargers officially have their 2022 season scheduled with the 17-game slate being announced alongside the rest of the NFL on Thursday night.
Regular Season Schedule
- Week 1: vs. Raiders
- Week 2: at Chiefs (TNF)
- Week 3: vs. Jaguars
- Week 4: at Texans
- Week 5: at Browns
- Week 6: vs. Broncos (MNF)
- Week 7: vs. Seahawks
- Week 8: BYE
- Week 9: at Falcons
- Week 10: at 49ers (SNF)
- Week 11: vs. Chiefs
- Week 12: at Cardinals
- Week 13: at Raiders
- Week 14: vs. Dolphins
- Week 15: vs. Titans
- Week 16: at Colts (MNF)
- Week 17: vs. Rams (SNF)
- Week 18: at Broncos
So how does the Chargers' schedule stack up? What aspects play in favor of the team and which create more of a challenge? Here are four instant observations following the schedule release.
Playing on Thursday Night Football early on in the season is an advantage
Sep 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) gestures on the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Chargers will travel to Kansas City for a Week 2 clash against the Chiefs. The contest will take place on Thursday Night Football, hitting the road on a short week following their home opener against the Raiders.
Almost every team will play a game on Thursday Night Football this season. For the Chargers' sake, getting this game out of the way early on serves as an advantage. As the season goes on and players begin to deal with lingering injuries and recovery periods take longer, having to play a game on short rest creates a difficult task at hand.
In this case, the Thursday Night Football game plays favorably to the Chargers as the team should still be relatively healthy with just one game under their belt prior to the Week 2 meeting.
Chargers will be under the bright lights of primetime quite regularly
Dec 16, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) and quarterback Justin Herbert (10) celebrate after a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Chargers are scheduled to play five primetime games this season – one on Thursday Night Football, two on Sunday Night Football and two on Monday Night Football. Five primetime games ties a league-high with 13 other teams.
The Justin Herbert effect, paired with the offseason moves the team has made has created a belief that the Chargers are poised for something special this season and has put the league on notice.
Two of the Chargers' primetime games will include opponents inside the AFC West, while another features their inner-city rival of the Rams.
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Full primetime slate:
- Week 2: at Chiefs (TNF)
- Week 6: vs. Broncos (MNF)
- Week 10: at 49ers (SNF)
- Week 16: at Colts (MNF)
- Week 17: vs. Rams (SNF)
Cold-weather games won't be much of a factor with the exception of one week
Nov 28, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) passes the ball in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Chargers pulled a little bit of luck as it pertains to their possible cold-weather games. They go to Kansas City and Cleveland within the first five weeks, prior to the conditions becoming brutally chilly.
Their one meeting this season that could involve playing in frigid temperatures is Week 18 at Denver. Last season the Chargers' playoff chances were dependent on the final week of the regular season, so if a similar circumstance presents itself again, they could face a must-win situation in rocky conditions.
The Chargers' toughest stretch comes in the middle part of their schedule
Oct 4, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) droops back to pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Following the Chargers' bye week, they'll play four of the next five games on the road. That stretch spans from Week 9 and ends in Week 13. Here's the middle-of-the-season gauntlet they'll encounter.
- Week 9: at Falcons
- Week 10: at 49ers (SNF)
- Week 11: vs. Chiefs
- Week 12: at Cardinals
- Week 13: at Raiders
This five-week stretch also includes four teams that reached the playoffs last season. The positive spin on these road trips is that three of them are within roughly an hour flight, limiting the travel time.
Getting off to a good start will be crucial for the Chargers considering the gruesome stretch they'll be tasked with here.
More from Charger Report
- Chargers' 2022 Schedule Release: Full List of Games Revealed
- Chargers Will Host Raiders in Week 1 of 2022 Season
- Report: Chargers Sign Sixth-Round Pick Jamaree Salyer to Rookie Contract
- Chargers CB Asante Samuel Jr. Shares Strong First Impression of J.C. Jackson
- Chargers Sit Top 10 Among Travel Miles For 2022 Season
- With New Additions at Cornerback, Asante Samuel Jr. is Ready to Showcase His Versatility in the Best Interest of the Team
Nick Cothrel is the publisher of Charger Report. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickCothrel for more Chargers coverage.
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