The NFL released their 2023 schedule this past week, and the Los Angeles Chargers have a favorable schedule for the 2023 season. The 17-game regular season schedule will include nine home games, with the Chargers opening at home at SoFi Stadium against the Miami Dolphins and closing out the season against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium.
The Chiefs have won seven consecutive AFC West division titles, have made eight consecutive playoff appearances, and just won their 2nd Super bowl title in four seasons. The Chargers will not face the Chiefs until Week 7 in Kansas City, which may help.
For the Week 18 game with the Chiefs, the last weekend of the regular season, the start time for that game will be determined by the importance of the game. The Chargers are 2-4 in their last six games against the Chiefs and have led in the fourth quarter of all six games. It may come down to the fourth quarter of Week 18 game to determine the AFC West champ.
At last week's rookie mini-camp, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley was asked about the 2023 schedule, about the Week 5 bye and about appearing in six prime-time games in 2023, the league maximum. The NFL can add a seventh prime-time game later through flex scheduling later in the season. Four of the six prime-time games are home games.
"Every NFL schedule that I've played so far is really, really tough," Staley said. "This one will be no exception. We had an early bye when I was in Chicago, 2018. That season, we had the bye after the fourth game, so that's my experience to draw from. I just know that season stuff, no matter what your bye is, we'll be ready to play the schedule as it comes."
Staley added, "I think we've played really well in primetime, since I've been the coach. I think our team has excelled in that time slot. The NFL is going to tell you what they think of your team by how many you get. We have a good football team and we're going to be excited to play whenever we play. But, obviously, when you're in front of the whole world, it's extra special."
The NFL is telling the Chargers that they expect them to be a playoff team, led by an exceptional young quarterback, Justin Herbert. The Chargers went 10-7 and made the playoffs last season, despite a litany of injuries. With a team full of stars, the Chargers should be a playoff team in 2023, but they need to stay healthy. The depth of the roster is questionable and needs to be developed.
Chargers Weekly Schedule with local starting times:
Week 1 Miami 1:25
Week 2 At Tennessee 10:00
Week 3 At Minnesota 10:00
Week 4 Raiders 1:05
Week 5 Bye
Week 6 Dallas (Monday Night) 5:15
Week 7 At Kansas City 1:25
Week 8 Chicago (Sunday Night) 5:20
Week 9 At NY Jets (Monday Night) 5:15
Week 10 Detroit 1:05
Week 11 At Green Bay
Week 12 Baltimore (Sunday Night) 5:20
Week 13 At New England 10:00
Week 14 Denver 1:25
Week 15 At Raiders 5:15 (Thursday Night)
Week 16 Buffalo 5:00 (Saturday Night)
Week 17 At Denver 1:25
Week 18 Kansas City (TBD)
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