Chargers Daily Links: CBS Sports sees 7-9 2020 record for Bolts

WE’RE HERE! WE’RE FINALLY HERE!

WEEK ONE, BABY!

T-minus six days until the Chargers take the field against the Bengals in Cincinnati and you, me, and the rest of the Chargers fan base can hardly wait.

On this wonderful morning, I’ve got one last record prediction from CBS Sports, and I’m sorry that it’s probably not what you want to hear.

Per author John Breech, he predicts the Chargers to finish second in the AFC West this season - which is good! However, it’s with a record of 7-9, which is probably not enough to make one of the wild card spots, even with that extra one being added this year.

CBS Sports

But at least the silver lining here is that both the Raiders and Broncos were #NotGood. That always makes the other bad stuff easier to swallow.

In the end, 7-9 is still not ideal. I fully believe that the Chargers’ first five or six games will tell us a lot about whether or not this team is headed for the playoffs. It’ll also show us how soon Justin Herbert will replace Tyrod Taylor. If they are unable to win more than one game through the first five weeks - with a tough slate of games versus the Bengals, Chiefs, Panthers, Bus, and Saints - then I just don’t see how there won’t be resounding chant for the rookie to take over.

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: Barring injuries, this team is far too talented to not be a .500 team with “decent” quarterbacking. If Mitch Trubisky and Blake Bortles can help guide their respective teams to the playoffs, then so can the combo of Taylor/Herbert.

Now for today’s links.

Chargers News:

The Chargers Podcast Network released their 2020 schedule (Chargers.com)

Meet the Chargers’ 53-man roster (Chargers.com)

Jason Reed discusses the team’s most-surprising cuts for the Chargers (Bolt Beat)

Gavino Borquez reports on the Chargers not making any waiver claims at the deadline (Chargers Wire)

NFL News:

Kevin Seifert looks at all the ways the NFL will look different with Covid-19 protocols in place (ESPN)

Cam Newton says New England and him are a match made in heaven (ESPN)

Rob Goldberg reports on Ryan Fitzpatrick starting for the Dolphins in week one (Bleacher Report)

Roger Goodell admits he’s prepared to not play 16 games this season amid pandemic (Bleacher Report)

Veteran players are worried younger player may struggle making right decisions now that training camp is over (Pro Football Talk)

John Breech predicts the final record for every NFL team in 2020 (CBS Sports)