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Game-by-game predictions: San Diego Chargers

With the potential of Philip Rivers moving on in 2015, the Chargers face four playoff teams from last year on the road with a combined winning percentage of 52 percent in 2014. So it will not be an easy task to win away from Qualcomm Stadium against a daunting schedule, with possibly a rookie quarterback. With Rivers, San Diego finished 4-4 on the road in 2014. That said, the Chargers are an 8-8 team in 2015.

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, Detroit, 4:05 p.m.

This game should be an interesting matchup to start for San Diego’s smaller corners in Brandon Flowers and Jason Verrett, as big receiver Calvin Johnson and gunslinger Matthew Stafford bring their high-flying act to town. Chargers 34, Lions 28. Record: 1-0.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Will we see good Andy Dalton or bad Andy Dalton? It might not matter if Cincinnati’s defense plays to its potential. Bengals 24, Chargers 20. Record: 1-1.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

If he stays put, Adrian Peterson could have a field day against a San Diego defense that gave up an average of 4.5 yards per carry in 2014. Vikings 23, Chargers 21. Record: 1-2.

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, Cleveland, 4:05 p.m.

Chargers have not lost to Cleveland in San Diego since 1991, and the 2015 version of the Browns hasn’t figured out who will start at quarterback. Chargers 27, Browns 14. Record: 2-2.

Week 5: Monday, Oct. 12, Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m.

Chargers are 2-8 against the Steelers in the last 10 meetings. Steelers 27, Chargers 24. Record: 2-3.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at Green Bay, 4:25 p.m.

San Diego returns to Lambeau Field to take on Green Bay for the first time since 2007. The Chargers are 1-9 all time against the Packers. Packers 34, Chargers 24. Record: 2-4.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

The Raiders should be improved under the direction of new coach Jack Del Rio, but the Chargers always seem to find a way to defeat Oakland. Chargers 24, Raiders 20. Record: 3-4.

Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

There will be no Philip Rivers-led, come-from-behind victory this time. Receiver Jacoby Jones faces his former team for the first time. Ravens 30, Chargers 17. Record: 3-5.

Week 9: Monday, Nov. 9, Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

Eddie Royal returns to San Diego for the first time as a member of the Bears. Rivers will make him wish he had stayed. Chargers 27, Bears 24. Record: 4-5.

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, Kansas City, 8:30 p.m.

The Chargers hope that Alex Smith is healthy so they don’t have to face backup Chase Daniel again. New receiver Jeremy Maclin could provide matchup problems for San Diego’s secondary. Chargers 20, Chiefs 17. Record: 5-5.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

San Diego’s defense had trouble corralling quarterback Blake Bortles early on in last year’s matchup. If the Jaguars get a consistent running game to go along with the addition of tight end Julius Thomas, look out. Chargers 28, Jaguars 23. Record: 6-5.

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, Denver, 4:05 p.m.

Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano always has an effective game plan to keep Peyton Manning off balance, but the key will be San Diego’s ability to effectively run the football on offense. Also, offensive lineman Orlando Franklin plays his former team for the first time. Chargers 33, Broncos 30. Record: 7-5.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

The Chiefs played better at the end of the season last year, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The Chargers have lost two of their past four games in Kansas City. Chiefs 22, Chargers 19. Record: 7-6.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, vs. Miami, 4:25 p.m.

Chargers are pleased this game isn’t in Miami after the beatdown the Dolphins put on them last season. Now it’s San Diego’s turn. Chargers 34, Dolphins 20. Record: 8-6.

Week 16: Thursday, Dec. 24, at Oakland, 8:25 p.m.

Since 2005, the Chargers are 8-2 against the Raiders at O.co Stadium. In the last Thursday night game of the regular season, Oakland makes it 8-3. Raiders 31, Chargers 28. Record: 8-7.

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

Will a playoff berth be on the line for the Chargers in the final game of the season for a third straight year? Broncos will likely have something to play for, too, and they are at home. Broncos 28, Chargers 20. Record: 8-8.