It's a new dawn in Los Angeles. After 16 years with the franchise, the Chargers and veteran quarterback Philip Rivers parted ways this offseason, paving the way for a new signal-caller to line up under center for L.A. for the foreseeable future. The club boasts veteran Tyrod Taylor and selected former Oregon star Justin Herbert with the No. 6 overall pick at the 2020 draft. The jury is still out as to who will eventually be named the Week 1 starter, but Herbert is no question the future for L.A. going forward into 2020 and beyond.
Along with the new changes at quarterback, the Chargers (along with the Rams) will be moving into SoFi Stadium to fully complete their move to Los Angeles that began three seasons ago. They'll do so after a 5-11 season in 2019 that found them in last place in the AFC West. While a potential rookie quarterback starting for L.A. next season may make them look like a club in the midst of a full rebuild, they do have a number of stars like pass-rushers Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa, along with tight end Hunter Henry and Keenan Allen heading into the final year of their respective deals, so this club will be extremely motivated for a number of reasons in 2020.
According to William Hill Sports Book, the Chargers' over/under win total for this season is set at 7.5 and they own the third-best odds to win the division. Below, you'll see if they get over that mark in our way-too-early, week-by-week prediction of the 2020 season. Along with seeing our prediction for each game, you'll get odds for each team and the early lines for Week 1 and Week 2.
*All odds are via William Hill Sports Book
Check out SportsLine's 2020 Chargers betting guide here.
Week 1 at Bengals
Line: Chargers -3
Opponent win total: O/U 5.5
Prediction: The Chargers will get the first crack at No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow as he makes his Bengals debut in Los Angeles. The former LSU star will play well in his first taste of regular-season action, but the pass-rushing duo of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram will get after him on a number of occasions, limiting how successful his first full game in the NFL will be. L.A. won't be trotting out their own top pick in Week 1 in Justin Herbert, but Tyrod Taylor will prove to be more than a capable starter for Anthony Lynn's squad with a couple of touchdown passes. Chargers win 20-13.
Projected record: 1-0
Week 2 vs. Chiefs
Line: Chiefs -10
Opponent win total: O/U 11.5
Prediction: L.A. went 0-2 against the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs last season and their first matchup of 2020 is more of the same. Patrick Mahomes does Patrick Mahomes things and the defense -- led by defensive tackle Chris Jones -- forces multiple turnovers to secure the win and cover the double-digit spread. Chiefs win 26-10.
Projected record: 1-1
Week 3 vs. Panthers
Opponent win total: O/U 5.5
Prediction: There's been a ton of change for Carolina this offseason. They saw a lot of veteran leadership walk out the door and head coach Matt Rhule is now running the show for David Tepper's Panthers. At this point in the season, Rhule and his squad will still be getting their sea legs and the Chargers will be able to sneak in a win as Carolina continues to try and develop its culture. Christian McCaffrey has himself a day, but overall Los Angeles does a nice job silencing Teddy Bridgewater. Chargers win 24-14.
Projected record: 2-1
Week 4 at Buccaneers
Opponent win total: O/U 9.5
Prediction: Los Angeles will roll into Tompa Tampa Bay to see Tom Brady and his new Bucs squad and this won't exactly be a day to remember for the Chargers. With his elite group of weapons headlined by Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski, Brady will be surgical against Los Angeles' secondary and Tyrod Taylor simply won't be able to keep pace. The pass-rushing duo of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram will be limited here due to Brady's ability to get the ball out of his hands quickly. Buccaneers win 36-20.
Projected record: 2-2
Week 5 at Saints
Opponent win total: O/U 10.5
Prediction: After that loss to Brady's Bucs last week, the Chargers get another future Hall of Fame quarterback in Drew Brees and have to face him in his home building on Monday Night Football. This contest will have a similar result to the Tampa game. The Chargers offense will be able to keep up for the first half, but coming out of the locker room for the third quarter Brees and the New Orleans offense will step on the gas to really separate themselves for the rest of the night. Saints win 27-13.
Projected record: 2-3
Week 6 vs. Jets
Opponent win total: O/U 6.5
Prediction: New York did spend a lot of energy this offseason trying to fix the offensive line around Sam Darnold, but Joey Bosa is still able to tee off on the Jets quarterback for two sacks and multiple pressures in this matchup. That consistent pass rush makes Darnold a bit sporadic and will stumble into two turnovers due to poor decision-making. From there, Austin Ekeler makes his presence known in the passing game and becomes a headache for New York's defense. Chargers win 17-10.
Projected record: 3-3
Week 7 at Dolphins
Opponent win total: O/U 6
Prediction: After six weeks of .500 football with Tyrod Taylor under center, the Chargers turn over the keys to the offense to rookie Justin Herbert, who rolls into Miami to take on his 2020 draft classmate Tua Tagovailoa. Herbert is poised in his NFL debut, but Brian Flores' revamped defense featuring offseason additions like corner Byron Jones and linebacker Kyle Van Noy are too much to handle to get the win. Herbert finds Keenan Allen for his first NFL touchdown, but that's about all the offense was able to produce. Dolphins win 23-7.
Projected record: 3-4
Week 8 vs. Jaguars
Opponent win total: O/U 4.5
Prediction: With one game his belt, the Justin Herbert era in L.A. finally gets its first win. Jacksonville has been a team in disarray all year as sophomore signal-caller Gardner Minshew hasn't fully taken the reins as well as the club had hoped to start the year. The defense has also been taking its lumps and Herbert was able to be extremely efficient through the air, but it was Austin Ekeler who really lit it up offensively, finding pay dirt three times. Chargers win 24-9.
Projected record: 4-4
Week 9 vs. Raiders
Opponent win total: O/U 7.5
Prediction: Gus Bradley will be smiling after this one. The Los Angeles defense feasts off Derek Carr and the Raiders offense, who are playing their second consecutive game on the road. While Bosa and Ingram have been showing out throughout the course of their contract years, this game was highlighted by rookie linebacker Kenneth Murray, who strips Carr in the second half to essentially clinch the W. Chargers win 13-6.
Projected record: 5-4
Week 11 at Broncos
Opponent win total: O/U 7.5
Prediction: Heading into Mile High and going toe-to-toe with second-year quarterback Drew Lock and his collection of young receivers is too tall of an ask for Justin Herbert at this point in his young career. The Denver pass rush of Von Miller and a healthy Bradley Chubb is able to shake Herbert up a bit and forces some inefficiency in the passing game. Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton, meanwhile, makes a number of eye-popping catches that helps Denver secure the 23-14 win.
Projected record: 5-5
Week 12 at Bills
Opponent win total: O/U 9
Prediction: This is a tough road stretch for Los Angeles. Not only does it have to roll into Denver in Week 11, but then it has to go play the Bills in Buffalo the following week. The Bills are the most complete team in the AFC East, boasting a stellar defense that is set to have Herbert on the run for most of the afternoon and has a potent offense after acquiring star receiver Stefon Diggs earlier this offseason. Given that it's a late November game, the weather could play a factor here as well. Bills win 20-10.
Projected record: 5-6
Week 13 vs. Patriots
Opponent win total: O/U 9
Prediction: While Tom Brady may not be in New England anymore, the Patriots still have a rather stout defense, headlined by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore. Despite flying across the country to face the Chargers in Los Angeles, I expect this secondary to give Herbert fits and bait him into multiple turnovers. Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham doesn't have it particularly easy facing the L.A. defense either but does enough to get the win. Patriots win 21-10.
Projected record: 5-7
Week 14 vs. Falcons
Opponent win total: O/U 7.5
Prediction: Atlanta improved its secondary over the course of the offseason, drafting cornerback A.J. Terrell with the No. 16 overall pick. At this point in the year, I expect Pro Bowl safety Keanu Neal, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 last year, to be back in the fold. That group should be able to do enough to contain Herbert and give Matt Ryan and his collection of receivers plenty of breathing room here. Falcons win 26-13.
Projected record: 5-8
Week 15 at Raiders
Opponent win total: O/U 7.5
Prediction: After keeping the Raiders under double-digits in Week 9, Jon Gruden's club comes into this Thursday Night Football matchup in Las Vegas extremely motivated and do end up getting their revenge on Los Angeles. Second-year running back Josh Jacobs barrels over the Chargers defense for two scores, while rookie receiver Henry Ruggs III also has himself a nice day in the passing game. Raiders win 21-14.
Projected record: 5-9
Week 16 vs. Broncos
Opponent win total: O/U 7.5
Prediction: Los Angeles is able to put the 10-day break following that Thursday night loss to good use as it comes into this home contest against the Broncos well rested and firing off on all cylinders. This is arguably Herbert's best all-around game since becoming the starter. He makes smart throws, has zero turnovers, and shows how he can do damage with his legs. He and Keenan Allen also connect for two touchdowns in the Chargers 23-17 win.
Projected record: 6-9
Week 17 at Chiefs
Opponent win total: O/U 11.5
Prediction: Kansas City will still be fighting for playoff positioning, so the Chargers will get the full wrath of Patrick Mahomes once again. Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has taken over as the Chiefs starter and caps off a tremendous first year in the league by rushing for over a hundred yards against this L.A. defense. Herbert struggles against Kansas City's defense at Arrowhead, but makes enough plays and dumps things off to Austin Ekeler enough to keep the score somewhat respectable. Chiefs win 30-17.
Projected record: 6-10
