The second season of the Jim Harbaugh Era begins with a really, really long flight to Brazil to face a team that’s defeated the Chargers in seven consecutive games. It also begins with a roster Harbaugh and General Manager Joe Hortiz believe is better than the one that went 11-6 last season.
The 2025 regular season will present challenges the Chargers didn’t face last season, including a trip to play the second NFL game contested in South America after the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers broke new ground in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to open the 2024 season.
The Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl following the 2024 season, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in surprisingly easy fashion, so maybe a long trip won’t impact the Chargers negatively but bind them closer together during what looms as a very long business trip. Hey, it worked for the Eagles.
Here’s a week-by-week look at how the Chargers might fare in 2025:
Sept. 5: Kansas City Chiefs, 5 p.m., Sao Paulo, Brazil
The Chargers’ last victory over the Chiefs was a 34-28 overtime decision Dec. 16, 2021, at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium. It’s been a seven-game drought for the Chargers, one that’s likely to continue 6,000 miles from home. It’ll be a long way to go for more disappointment. Loss: 0-1.
Sept. 15: Las Vegas Raiders, 7 p.m., Allegiant Stadium
The road warriors get their first look at Pete Carroll’s revamped Raiders for a “Monday Night Football” showcase. The Chargers opened and closed the 2024 regular season with lopsided victories over the Raiders. Win. Record: 1-1.
Sept. 21: Denver Broncos, 1:05 p.m., SoFi Stadium
At last, the Chargers make their home debut, facing their third AFC rival in as many weeks. Bo Nix and the Broncos proved to be a handful twice last season in two Chargers victories, and likely will be again this season. Loss. Record: 1-2.
Sept. 28: New York Giants, 10 a.m., MetLife Stadium
The Giants haven’t played host to the Chargers since 2017. The Chargers have won five in a row over New York. Win. Record: 2-2.
Oct. 5: Washington Commanders, 1:25 p.m., SoFi Stadium
The Jayden Daniels-led Commanders proved to be an elite team last season, one capable of causing problems for the Chargers in this matchup. Loss. Record: 2-3.
Oct. 12: Miami Dolphins, 10 a.m., Hard Rock Stadium
Enough already with the Justin Herbert-Tua Tagovailoa comparisons. Herbert went sixth in the 2020 draft and Tagovailoa went fifth. The chatter about who was the better pick should have ended by now, but somehow it persists. Win. Record: 3-3.
Oct. 19: Indianapolis Colts, 1:05 p.m., SoFi Stadium
The game against the Colts looks like a classic trap game. The Chargers would be wrong to look past Indy and ahead to the Vikings game. Win. Record: 4-3.
Oct. 23: Minnesota Vikings, 5:15 p.m., SoFi Stadium
The knock against “Thursday Night Football” is that the games generally turn out to be prime time duds because of short rest, lousy matchups, etc., etc., etc. This looks like a good one, though, possibly a pivotal game for both teams. Win. Record: 5-3.
Nov. 2: Tennessee Titans, 10 a.m., Nissan Stadium
Here’s another opponent the Chargers cannot overlook. Loss. Record: 5-4.
Nov. 9: Pittsburgh Steelers, 5:20 p.m., SoFi Stadium
Will this be a Najee Harris revenge game? Harris gained 1,000 yards or more in four seasons with Pittsburgh and then signed with the Chargers during the offseason to juice up their lackluster ground game. He missed all of training camp because of an eye injury, though. Loss. Record: 5-5.
Nov. 16: Jacksonville Jaguars, 10 a.m., EverBank Stadium
Back to the site of the Chargers’ epic meltdown in a wild-card game after the 2023 season. No one paid the price for the Chargers’ 31-30 defeat, but changes should have been made sooner than later. Win. Record: 6-5.
Nov. 23: Bye
Nov. 30: Las Vegas Raiders, 1:25 p.m., SoFi Stadium
The season’s stretch run begins with a visit from the Raiders. Win. Record: 7-5.
Dec. 8: Philadelphia Eagles, 5:15 p.m., SoFi Stadium
Now it gets tougher as the Chargers host the Super Bowl champions, a team many believe capable of winning a second one in a row. It’s liable to sound like a home game for the Eagles, with their horde of fans on hand. Loss. Record: 7-6.
Dec. 14: Kansas City Chiefs, 10 a.m., Arrowhead Stadium
One of these days the Chargers will end their losing streak to the Chiefs, but it won’t be today. A second consecutive loss to Kansas City will eliminate them from AFC West title contention and jeopardize their playoff hopes. Loss. Record: 7-7.
Dec. 21: Dallas Cowboys, 10 a.m., AT&T Stadium
Jerry Jones’ Cowboys aren’t the best team in the NFL, but surely the most intriguing franchise in the league, and maybe all of North American sports. None of which should concern the Chargers. Win. Record: 8-7.
Dec. 27 or 28: Houston Texans, TBD, SoFi Stadium
The Texans exposed the Chargers’ many flaws during a wild-card victory last season in Houston. Don’t expect a repeat in a must-win game for the Chargers if they hope to make a second straight playoff appearance. Win. Record; 9-7.
Jan. 3 or 4: Denver Broncos, TBD, Mile High Stadium
The regular season finale could settle second place in the AFC West behind the Chiefs, and whether one team or the other advances to the playoffs. Or it could prove to be a meaningless game for both teams. Loss. Record: 9-8.