The NFL will announce the regular season schedule for 2020 on Thursday at 5 p.m. PT. We already know who the Chargers’ opponents will be, but just don’t know the dates and times.
From that list of opponents, we can predict which games might get national attention on prime time television. Los Angeles played in three nationally televised games in 2019.
L.A. didn’t have a lot of success last season, finishing 5-11. However, given the talent on the roster, the fact that a new era at the quarterback begins, and they’re moving into a new stadium, they should be sure to earn the spotlight.
With that, here are five games that could be prime time this upcoming season:
Chargers at Saints
The next time that the Chargers will play the Saints will be in 2024, which is likely the same year that New Orleans will have a new quarterback because Drew Brees is nearing the final leg of his professional career.
This would be the perfect opportunity to nationally televise Brees play against the team that originally drafted him back in 2001 one last time. Since Brees took over under center for the Saints in 2006, the Bolts have suffered defeat all three of their meetings.
Chargers at Buccaneers
This isn’t a Buccaneers team that we are all used to from recent seasons. The new and improved Tampa Bay squad is now led by quarterback Tom Brady, who signed with them earlier this offseason, along with other notable additions like tight end Rob Gronkowski, who came out of retirement to reunite with his former teammate.
The Chargers were runner-ups in the Brady sweepstakes, so I’m sure they would be more than happy to show him what he missed out on in the City of Angels. Like Brees, this will likely mark the last time that they face off against the 43-year old Brady. It has been 12 years since the Bolts have defeated the veteran quarterback.
Chargers vs. Chiefs
The past three consecutive seasons, Los Angeles and Kansas City have faced off in a primetime affair. I believe this year will mark the fourth and rather than the game being played in front of Chiefs’ fans, the contest will be held at SoFi Stadium, marking the beginning of a new era.
Having beaten the Chiefs only once in the last 12 meetings, the Chargers are eager to slow down Kansas City’s high-powered offense, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With a healthy Derwin James back and a few new additions to the defensive side of the ball, Los Angeles is capable of getting the job done.
Chargers at Raiders
Like the Chargers (and the Rams), the Raiders are now in a new home. Rather than being in the same state though, coach Jon Gruden and company now reside in Las Vegas. Just like SoFi Stadium will get a lot of attention, Allegiant Stadium will be sure to, as well.
After sweeping the Chargers for the first time in three years last season, the Raiders are eager to do it again. They will look to do it with some new additions on both sides of the ball with the notables being linebacker Cory Littleton and rookie wide receiver Henry Ruggs.
Chargers at Bills
Why would a game like the Chargers against the Bills get national attention when Buffalo hasn’t beaten Los Angeles since 2008, you ask? Rather than Philip Rivers being under center, Tyrod Taylor is now calling the shots, which means he will be facing off against his former team from 2015-17.
Taylor had arguably the best seasons of his professional career with the Bills, including one with Anthony Lynn as the offensive coordinator in 2016. But Buffalo traded him to the Browns in 2018, even after he helped lead them to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. This would be a great revenge game to witness.
