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          NFL Nation

          San Diego Chargers' schedule includes tough road tests early

          Coming off a 4-12 season, Mike McCoy could be on the hot seat if the Chargers don't rebound in 2016. Donald Miralle/Getty Images
          • Eric D. Williams, ESPN Staff WriterApr 15, 2016, 12:50 AM
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            • Covered Seahawks for Tacoma News Tribune for six seasons.
            • Played college football at University of Puget Sound
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          Breakdown: Hit with a rash of injuries last year, the Chargers will have to figure out a way to stay healthy in 2016. The Chargers don’t have the bye until Week 11, the longest time the team has had to wait for a bye week since 2010. The Bolts will play 14 games, including exhibition play, before the team’s bye week. The Chargers have just one prime-time contest, a Thursday night game on Oct. 13 against the Denver Broncos at home. The Chargers played in three nationally televised games last year. For the first time since 2004, the Chargers will not play on Monday Night Football.

          Complaint department: In need of some momentum to build on an upcoming campaign for a new San Diego stadium, the Chargers did not catch a break from the NFL schedule-makers. The Chargers open up on the road against the AFC West division rival Kansas City Chiefs, and play five of their first eight games on the road. The Chargers’ opponents had a .508 winning percentage in 2015, the 13th toughest schedule in the NFL.

          Tough finish: While the schedule is difficult early, the Chargers also face a daunting test to finish. San Diego heads East to face the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers on Dec. 11, then travels home to host the Oakland Raiders, hits the road again for a game against the Cleveland Browns and hosts what could be the team’s final home game at Qualcomm Stadium against the Chiefs on Jan. 1.

          Strength of schedule: 13th, .508

          Chargers Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

          • Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

          • Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, Jacksonville, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25, at Indianapolis, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, New Orleans, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, at Oakland, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 6: Thursday, Oct. 13, Denver, 8:25 p.m.

          • Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, at Atlanta, 4:05 p.m.

          • Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, at Denver, 4:05 p.m.

          • Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6, Tennessee, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, Miami, 4:05 p.m.

          • Week 11: BYE

          • Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27, at Houston, 1 p.m.

          • Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4, Tampa Bay, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, at Carolina, 1 p.m.

          • Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, Oakland, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

          • Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, Kansas City, 4:25 p.m.