These are my predictions (hopefully no jinxing happens
)
1 Mon, Sep 8 @ Arizona W
2 Sun, Sep 14 vs Seattle L
3 Sun, Sep 21 @ Buffalo W
4 Sun, Sep 28 vs Jacksonville W
5 Sun, Oct 5 vs New York W
6 Sun, Oct 12 @ Oakland L
7 Sun, Oct 19 vs Kansas City W
8 Thu, Oct 23 @ Denver L
9 Sun, Nov 9 @ Miami L
10 BYE WEEK
11 Sun, Nov 16 vs Oakland W
12 Sun, Nov 23 vs St. Louis W
13 Sun, Nov 30 @ Baltimore W
14 Sun, Dec 7 vs New England L
15 Sun, Dec 14 vs Denver W
16 Sat, Dec 20 @ San Francisco W
17 Sun, Dec 28 @ Kansas City W
While 11-5 looks a little too good, let's run down the schedule (obviously, I am writing this the day of our first game, so I have more infer than you did, bwgood77, in August)
1 - W Arizona may be playing without Ellington which would be a huge break for us. As long as Rivers keeps his passes sharp and accurate (not too many deep passes, no floaters) and our three-headed rushing attack gets some momentum going, the Card's D can be worn down a bit. This game will ultimately come down to us making sure Fitz doesn't simply tear up our secondary.
2 - L Seattle is Seattle. Only hope for us is we're playing at the Q. Too early in the season to beat a team that good.
3 - W Buffalo has to be taken seriously, but as long as our offense performs consistently, we'll be fine
4 - W Jacksonville is another team that you cannot fall asleep on. Keep our running game going, find ways to end drives with TDs and not just FGs, and we'll be good.
5 - W Jets always have tough D, but their offense is pretty horrible. Judging from what even the Raiders could do to the Jets, I think we just need to focus and we'll get the win.
6 - L This is a pick I hope isn't correct, but for some reason, the Chargers can forget how to play football when facing the Raiders. It's annoying as hell, but I think the Raiders could take 1 of 2 against the Chargers, perhaps the game in Oakland. However, if the Chargers can beat them twice, it'll show we're a mentally tougher team than last year.
7 - W Kansas City looked terrible in week 1. They lost to Tennessee. Their offense couldn't get going and their defense was not dominant like last year. We can get the W.
8 - L I think we can beat Denver, but not at mile high. It should be a hell of a game, but I think the Broncos escape with the win here.
9 - L Miami looked tough in the season opener against NE. Like really tough. Their defense looked stout and their running game was excellent. I think this spells trouble for the Chargers. If it was a home game, I'd say we would win, but in Miami and coming off a loss to Denver, I think we let this one get away from us.
11 - W Coming off a bye, playing at home, wanting revenge. Chargers easily beat the Raiders
12 - W St. Louis had ZERO offense in game one, and with no Sam Bradford, that isn't going to change. We run away with this one
13 - W Baltimore struggled to score week 1, and there is a lot of distraction around that team. I think this one will be tough, but we are clearly the more talented team, and I see us grinding this one out.
14 - L I just can see us losing this one. Pats are smart and know how to win. Their team didn't look great in week 1, but I think they'll be better by this time.
15 - W Playing Denver in SD, I think we win this matchup. Philip goes off and out-duels Manning. We gain some momentum against them in case we face them in the playoffs.
16 - W San Fran just didn't look scary against Dallas in week one, and they were playing Dallas. After 4 turnovers and 1 defensive score for the 9ers, they got shut out in the second half of the game and ended up with only 21 offensive points on the league's worst defensive team. I think the Chargers can beat 'em.
17 - W We have to beat KC at to keep our mo strong heading into the playoffs. And again, they do no look like the same team from last year. If they're already eliminated from playoff contention at this point, Arrowhead will not be intimidating.