Chargers Narrowly Avoid List of Teams Facing Must-Win Week 2
It’s hard enough to win games in the NFL when it’s a level playing field, but it changes everything when a team starts to get desperate for a win. While the Los Angeles Chargers aren’t in a desperate position just yet, their game this weekend against the Tennessee Titans could be considered a must-win.
After dropping the first game of the season to the Miami Dolphins, the Chargers are looking for a redemption game to avoid going 0-2 to open the new year. They can overcome two losses to open the year, but it would be tough in the loaded AFC Conference.
If they were to lose to Tennessee, it would also be their second AFC loss, which could be detrimental down the line. But one writer doesn’t see this game as a must-win, instead as a game they should win but would be okay losing. Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report explains.
“The Raiders were the only AFC West team that was victorious in Week 1, and they're an underdog in Buffalo. The Chargers could lose in Tennessee Sunday and still potentially be in fine shape with Las Vegas coming to two in two weeks.”
While the Chargers will get a chance to play Las Vegas soon, grabbing a win here could go a long way. It’s unlikely that the Kansas City Chiefs drop another game soon, so the Bolts should look to take advantage of that fact.
The Chiefs are the measuring stick in the AFC West, and the Chargers haven’t been able to beat them consistently. LA can’t afford to go 0-2 if they want to make the playoffs.
The Cincinnati Bengals made the postseason after going 0-2 last season, but it also took an eight-game win streak to end the season to get there. Winning that many games in a row in the NFL is very difficult to do, and the pressure is already on this squad.
