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MNF matchup in Mexico City highlights Los Angeles Chargers' 2019 schedule

COSTA MESA, Calif. -- The NFL has released its 2019 regular-season schedule. Here's a look at what's in store for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Game-by-game prediction

Chargers reporter Eric D. Williams is predicting an 11-5 finish.

Sept. 8: vs. Indianapolis, Win

Sept. 15: at Detroit, Win

Sept. 22: vs. Houston, Win

Sept. 29: at Miami, Win

Oct. 6: vs. Denver, Win

Oct. 13: vs. Pittsburgh, Loss

Oct. 20: at Tennessee, Loss

Oct. 27: at Chicago, Loss

Nov. 3: vs. Green Bay, Win

Nov. 7: at Oakland, Win

Nov. 18: vs. Kansas City, Win

Dec. 1: vs. at Denver, Loss

Dec. 8: at Jacksonville, Win

Dec. 15: vs. Minnesota, Win

Dec. 21 or 22: vs. Oakland, Win

Dec. 29: at Kansas City, Loss

Strength of schedule: T-16, .502

Breakdown

After reaching the postseason for the first time since 2013 last season, the Chargers were rewarded by the league with four prime-time contests, the most the Bolts have had since 2014. October is the start of the toughest stretch of the schedule for the Chargers, with four of seven games on the road. That block of games includes home contests against the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers, and road contests against the Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears and Thursday night tilt at the Black Hole against the Raiders, along with a "home" game in Mexico City on Nov. 18 vs. the Chiefs, followed by a bye. Based on last year’s records, the Chargers have the 16th-hardest schedule in the NFL, facing opponents with a .502 winning percentage. However, that number might not mean much. Last season, the Chargers entered the 2018 regular season with the third-hardest schedule in the NFL, but finished 12-4 overall.

Monday Night Football in Mexico City

For the second year in a row, the Chargers will host a game outside of the U.S., facing AFC West rival Kansas City at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Monday Night Football. Last year, the Chargers defeated the Tennessee Titans 20-19 in London at Wembley Stadium. After a year absence, the Chargers return to Monday Night Football, where they have a 22-23 record. In the Super Bowl era, the Bolts are 50-50 overall in prime-time games. It will be the first game in Mexico City for both teams. Last November, the NFL moved the Chiefs’ game against the Los Angeles Rams from Mexico City to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum because of poor field conditions. The Chargers have lost nine of the last 10 games against the Chiefs. Chargers GM Tom Telesco said the Chargers already have begun preparations for traveling south and playing in the high altitude of Mexico City. “Obviously, we’re going to a city that has higher altitude than Denver, so we’ll do some research to prepare for it,” Telesco. “The nice thing for us is it’s not that long of a flight, but we’ve already started doing some preparations on that weeks ago.”

Farewell to Dignity Health Sports Park

The Chargers will play in a 27,000-seat soccer stadium, the team’s temporary home in L.A., for the final year in 2019. While the team is very appreciative and the stadium’s management team have been gracious and professional hosts, the Bolts are excited to move to the team’s permanent home at the sparking new Inglewood facility in 2020. The Chargers have a tough slate of home games that include the Steelers, the Packers, the Indianapolis Colts, the Houston Texans and the Minnesota Vikings, along with AFC West rivals in the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders. “I’m incredibly excited for our fans to have what is going to be the best stadium in the NFL, because that’s going to lead to a really great experience,” said Chargers president of business operations A.G. Spanos.