San Diego Chargers Weekly Poll Question: Who Will Be The Chargers' First Loss

As the staff's resident "Negative Nancy" since Zach left, I would have answered this question "Week 1 at the Oakland Raiders" if it had been asked during the preseason. If you asked me now, I'd have to say "Week 3 vs the Atlanta Falcons." In my defense, though, I did pick them to beat the lowly Tennessee Titans in the home opener.

Atlanta will be the Chargers' first opportunity to face a good team. I originally wanted to say the Falcons will be their first test, but it seemed uncharitable to discount the playing of a division rival on the road to open the season (even if that division rival is pretty clearly a bad football team). Now, just because the Falcons are the first good football team the Chargers will play doesn't necessarily mean we should expect a loss (even though I do).

The Chargers have a handful of things in their favor. They'll be playing at home. The Falcons will have to fly cross country and do so on a shortened week since they're playing tonight. Tonight's game promises to be a more competitive and taxing one than the Chargers' rout of the Titans yesterday.

If the Chargers do get by the Falcons they'll then travel to Kansas City and to New Orleans in consecutive weeks. Both of those games looked like losses before the season (and still do to some degree), but now both of those teams look less intimidating. Finally, the Chargers will play host to the Broncos before going into the bye.

When do you think the Chargers will get their first loss? Vote in the poll and tell us why in the comments.