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The San Diego Chargers won 7 games a year ago with a roster that was a few increments better than the 2013 one. While I agree that addition by subtraction is a positive move for the future, The Chargers lost a lot of starting talent and realistically can not say they are better because of it.
There will be growing pains. There will be learning curve. But I am confident in the coaching staff to keep this team in games, I'm just not sure this necessarily translates to wins.
Let's dig into the schedule, shall we?
Week 1: San Diego Chargers vs Houston Texans
Chargers Lose 28-19
This is a game between a team "hitting the ground running" and a team "pursuing an identity". The coaching staff alone will make the Chargers competitive in the game but the biggest difference will be touchdowns to field goals.
Photo credit: Bob Levey
Week 2: San Diego Chargers at Philadelphia Eagles
Chargers Lose 20-16
The Chargers take the field in Pennsylvania just six days after their opener and the game begins at 10:00am, in the minds of the Chargers time. Tough. We don't know what Chip Kelly's Offense will feature yet but we do know they will spread the field, ultimately testing the CB depth and OLB responsibilities.
Photo credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Week 3: San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans
Chargers Win 30-17
It's not desperation but you'll see some "pep" in the Chargers players after playing hard and competitive versus the Texans and Eagles. You'll see the Chargers Defense "contain" Chris Johnson and make this about Jake Locker and his arm. Chargers notch their first road (and overall) victory.
Photo credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE
Week 4: San Diego Chargers vs Dallas Cowboys
Chargers Lose 27-23
The Chargers and Cowboys should be even at halftime but Dallas will pull away with two third–quarter scores. A late score by the home team makes this game look closer than it really was. This may be the first true test of Rivers' ability to take what the defense gives him, given the Cowboys now run a Tampa 2. Tough home loss but the Chargers continue to be competitive.
Photo credit: Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE
Week 5: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders
Chargers Win 24-10
It'll be the first divisional game for the Chargers and they start division play on a good note. This game shows you how good the Chargers offense can be, as they amass 350+ yards of total offense and give up only 1 turnover.
Photo credit: Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE
Week 6: San Diego Chargers vs Indianapolis Colts
Chargers Lose 19-13
Another tough home loss that San Diego is competitive in. Luck tops 35 attempts in this game as the Colts' game plan will be to attack the secondary as often possible. The Chargers offense will put together promising drives but flame out at the end of them.
Photo credit: Andy Lyons
Week 7: San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Chargers Win 17-6
San Diego, capable of handling the lesser teams, handles the Jags fairly easy and head into the bye on a positive note, with a 3-4 record.
Photo credit: Al Messerschmidt
Week 9: San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins
Chargers Lose 21-13
The combination of the Redskins ground game and and their swarming defense is too much for the Chargers to escape D.C. with a win. This game seems over early but the Chargers compete until the end, that's about all we as fans can ask for.
Photo credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Week 10: San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos
Chargers Lose 31-20
San Diego is finally back at home after a month on the road, but the home schedule continues to not be in their favor. The Broncos are on a roll about this time and 30 points is just too tough to reach for the San Diego Offense. San Diego falls to 1-1 in the division after this loss.
Photo credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE
Week 11: San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins
Chargers Lose 28-27
Another trip to the East Coast and a 10:00am start. Chargers vs Dolphins games are weird. Chargers win when they are at home and Miami typically wins when they are home. So, It's no different in 2013. Dolphins seal the game with a late touchdown drive. This one will hurt but San Diego continues to make progress.
Photo credit: Donald Miralle
Week 12: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
Chargers Lose 20-16
A 10:00am start, after another 10:00am start. It's late November, and if the Chiefs are still in the race, I don't see how the Chargers overcome the Home Field Advantage at Arrowhead. Chargers drop to 1-2 in the division and 3-8 overall.
Photo credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE
Week 13: San Diego Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals
Chargers Lose 24-13
This home schedule does not get any easier for the Chargers; San Diego simply drops this one to a better team. Chargers score first in this game but 2 turnovers offsets those scoring drives, giving Cincinnati the ability to put the game out of reach.
Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports
Week 14: San Diego Chargers vs New York Giants
Chargers Win 35-27
This win is the first of December and is a much–needed one. Chargers have 4 home games in the month and getting this one against a more talented roster helps their psyche for the stretch run.
Photo credit: Al Bello
Week 15: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos
Chargers Lose 34-19
It's Denver. It's cold. Peyton Manning and the Broncos Defense are rounding into playoff form. Just a bad recipe for the Chargers. They lose this game but know they have two consecutive home games to end the year on positive notes.
Photo credit: Justin Edmonds
Week 16: San Diego Chargers vs Oakland Raiders
Chargers Win 28-13
This is an anger win and gives San Diego its second win within the division. San Diego obviously sweeps the Raiders and attempts to play spoiler the next week.
Photo credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Week 17: San Diego Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs
Chargers Win 24-16
Kansas City will leave Qualcomm disappointed (don't let my mom read this). San Diego end the year winning three of their last four and two in a row at home. The Chargers end the year 3-3 within the division and have a lot of positives heading into the 2014 campaign.
Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports
That calculates six wins for the Chargers this year. Though 6 isn't a positive in some eyes, the fact that the Chargers compete from Week 1 - Week 17 is a plus going forward. They put themselves in position to draft playmakers early in the NFL Draft and The Chargers hit 2014 ready to go.