EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Chargers have officially made it through halfway of the NFL season. Los Angeles sits at a 5-3 record and currently holds the sixth seed in the AFC standings.
There are nine games left for the Chargers on their pathway to the playoffs. There is an evenly divided number of easy, moderate, and difficult opponents that await the Chargers.
Here's a breakdown of which teams will be challenging the Chargers:
Not a Threat: Titans, Patriots, Raiders
To start the second half of the season, the Chargers will face off against the 2-6 Titans. Tennessee has the second-fewest passing yards and ranks 27th in points per game. The Chargers allow 12.6 points per game, which is the lowest of any team in the NFL. Los Angeles hasn’t allowed more than 20 points which means the defense is expected to dominate a Titans’ offense that struggles to produce.
The Patriots are a 2-7 group that is the only team with fewer yards per game than the Titans. New England also ranks in the bottom 10 of rushing yards this season. If the Patriots aren’t effective on the ground or in the air, then it is hard to imagine them moving the ball against the Chargers defense.
After opening the season against the Raiders, the Chargers will get round two in the final week. Las Vegas is the only team who averages less than 80 rushing yards per game. In the previous matchup, the Chargers out gained the Raiders 176-71 on the ground. It is likely that week 18 plays out similar to week 1, with the Chargers winning and the Raiders struggling to run the ball.
These three teams all have something in common, they have two wins on the season, and are bottom feeders offensively. The Chargers are 4-0 against teams with only two wins and if the trend continues, then these games should continue the undefeated record.
Might Be Trouble: Bengals, Buccaneers, Broncos
While the Chargers have their fair share of easy games, there are also match-ups that aren’t so much of a given. Although the Bengals, Buccaneers and Broncos all hover close to a .500 record, they are all capable of pulling out the victory versus Los Angeles.
The Bengals may have a 4-6 record, but this roster is dangerous on offense. Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase are statistically the best quarterback and wide receiver duo in the league. Cincinnati averages 27 points and ranks in the top three in passing yards per game. This is a greater offensive production than any team the Chargers have faced.
Similar to the Bengals, the Buccaneers have a top-tier offense that could surprise the Chargers. Tampa Bay is top five in total yards and points per game. Although major injuries to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans were detrimental, Cade Otton stepped up. Otton has recorded 25 receptions in the last three weeks. The Bucs’ offense gave the Falcons and Chiefs a scare. The Chargers could be in for the same fate.
The Chargers defeated the Broncos back in week 6 but the game ended on a sour note for Los Angeles. After taking a 23-0 lead, the Broncos scored 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to make it a tight game towards the end. The Chargers average 4.9 fourth quarter points, which is the sixth lowest in the league. If the Broncos get off to a better start than in week 6, the fourth quarter troubles for the Chargers may hurt them in week 16.
There are still huge flaws from these teams that the Chargers could exploit in these matchups.
The Chargers' offense could capitalize on the defensive struggles that the Bengals and Buccaneers have had this season. The Bengals have allowed 26+ points against teams with a winning record and the Buccaneers have a bottom five defense in points allowed.
Defensively, the Chargers could also punish the Broncos' passing game, which ranks in the bottom six of yards per game.
Toughest Battles: Ravens, Falcons, Chiefs
Unlike the previous six teams mentioned, the Ravens, Falcons and Chiefs would be favored against the Chargers.
One of the best teams in the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens, are a dangerous group due to their rushing attack. Baltimore averages 182.6 rushing yards per game, which is the highest in the NFL. While the Chargers have the best run defense, they have not seen a tandem like Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. They have combined for over 1,600 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. If the Chargers don’t contain Baltimore's running game, then Jim Harbaugh will have an 0-3 career record against his brother.
After starting 1-2, the Falcons have won five of their last six games. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is the main reason why the Falcons have been one of the hottest teams in the league. Cousins is in the top five in passing yards and touchdowns this season. The stellar play from Cousins could flourish against the Chargers, who rank outside the top 10 in passing defense.
An undefeated Chiefs team that has won six straight games against the Chargers, is obviously a tough battle. Back in week 4, the Chiefs shut out the Chargers through the last three quarters of the game to seal a 17-10 victory. Kansas City’s defense has been elite all season as they rank in the top five for fewest points and total yards allowed per game. Los Angeles ranks in the bottom half of rushing and passing yards, which is why the Chiefs dominated defensively in the first game.
All of these teams have six wins and are currently in the top two in their division standings. The Chargers are 0-3 against teams in the top half of their division.
With the variety of threat levels on their schedule, the Chargers will truly be in for a roller-coaster ride of opponents in the last nine games.