SAN DIEGO -- Worst to first? Not this year. The Chargers will be improved, but they are at least a year away, in terms of talent on the roster, from realistically competing for a playoff spot in the AFC West, a division dominated by talented defenses. San Diego has the best quarterback in the division, Philip Rivers, and an improving, young defense, but the Chargers will still struggle to score points.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11 at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
The Chargers have lost three of their past five games in Kansas City. Record: 0-1
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:25 p.m.
The Jaguars have one of the best young offenses in the NFL, but the Chargers have beaten them in the past five matchups. Record: 1-1
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25 at Indianapolis Colts, 4:25 p.m.
Free-agent addition safety Dwight Lowery faces his former team in Indianapolis. The Chargers have defeated the Colts in Indianapolis on their past two trips to the Midwest. Record: 1-2
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2 vs. New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m.
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees faces the team that drafted him in San Diego, where he played for five seasons, for what might be the last time in his career. Brees has thrown for more 700 yards and two touchdowns in two previous meetings, and in his most recent game against the Chargers, he broke Johnny Unitas’ NFL record for most consecutive games with a TD pass (48). Record: 2-2
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9 at Oakland Raiders, 4:25 p.m.
Since 2005, the Chargers are 8-3 against the Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Record: 2-3
Week 6: Thursday, Oct. 13 vs. Denver Broncos, 8:25 p.m.
It could be Mark Sanchez or a quarterback-to-be-named leading the Broncos on the field in 2016. It might not matter, with the Broncos’ dominant defense returning mostly intact. Record: 2-4
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23 at Atlanta Falcons, 4:05 p.m.
Rivers should have plenty of time to throw against an Atlanta defense that finished with a league-worst 19 sacks last season. Record: 2-5
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30 at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
The Chargers face the Broncos for the second time in three weeks and play AFC West opponents in four of their first eight games. The Chargers finished winless against the AFC West last year. Record: 2-6
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6 vs. Tennessee Titans, 4:25 p.m.
Speculated to land in San Diego last year in a draft-day trade with Tennessee, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota takes on the Chargers for the first time in his professional career. Record: 3-6
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13 vs. Miami Dolphins, 4:05 p.m.
The Chargers face the Dolphins at Qualcomm Stadium for the second straight season. Record: 4-6
Week 11: Bye week
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27 at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
San Diego faces a familiar face in new Houston quarterback Brock Osweiler, who finished 2-0 against the Chargers last season. Record: 4-7
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m.
The Buccaneers have not defeated the Chargers in San Diego in five meetings. The Chargers hold an 8-2 advantage all time against Tampa Bay. Record: 5-7
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11 at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
The Chargers face the second-ranked rushing offense in 2015, led by the league’s reigning MVP in Cam Newton. It’s not a good matchup for a San Diego run defense that allowed 4.8 yards per carry last season, second worst in the NFL. Record: 5-8
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18 vs. Oakland Raiders, 4:25 p.m.
The Chargers used to own this series, but San Diego was swept by the Raiders in 2015 for the first time since 2010. Record: 5-9
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24 at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Free-agent pickup WR Travis Benjamin plays against his former team for the first time. The Chargers also get an up-close look at the Browns' roster largely influenced by analytics. Record: 6-9
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
The Chargers scored six total points against Kansas City’s defense in two losses the previous season. San Diego finishes the regular season against Kansas City for the third time in four seasons. Record: 6-10