NFL Analytics Expert Breaks Down Chargers Record and Playoff Forecast

Can LA reach the postseason for the second consecutive year?

The new NFL season opens this week, and now it's time to let all the talking of the offseason become a reality. The Los Angeles Chargers expect to build off the success they saw last season and go further into the playoffs.

But it won't come easy, as the AFC Conference is expected to be a true bloodbath this year, and the Chargers will face some tough competition on the schedule.

However, Los Angeles does boast some impressive roster talent themselves, and they should once again be a top team in the conference. Led by star quarterback Justin Herbert, the Bolts are being seen as a likely wild-card team this season.

NFL Network Analytics Expert Cynthia Freeland put out her expected win totals for all the teams in the AFC, and the Chargers came in at 9.33 for the year. Freeland has the Chargers just edging out the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins for a postseason spot in the projections.

“The next three teams are separated by extremely slim margins, as you can see. As for the difference between the Chargers and Dolphins, it really comes down to their Week 1 matchup being slightly tipped in favor of Los Angeles in my model. Should Miami win that game in SoFi Stadium, switch the Chargers and Dolphins in the rankings.”

Per Cynthia Freeland of NFL Network

With the Bolts' schedule this season anywhere between 9-10 wins will likely be seen as a successful year. But all that matters is getting into the playoffs because it's then anyone's chance to win it all.

Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals are considered top-tier teams in the AFC, but the Chargers are ranked right below them. They have an opportunity to put themselves on the map and make believers out of everyone. 

This season will show what this Chargers team is made of, and if they can't produce, big changes will likely be coming over the offseason.