San Diego Chargers: 1st Look at the 2012 Schedule (Away)

Away: Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers.

You can read my article previewing the home games here. The descriptions for the Raiders, Chiefs, and Broncos are the same. The difficulty ratings are higher because they are away games.

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are always a tough matchup for the Chargers. Well, at least they have been for the past three years. There is always some way in which the Oakland defense causes problems for San Diego. Carson Palmer will be with the Raiders all year next season, which should just make it even more difficult for the Chargers.

With all that said, San Diego should be favored in each of the two games. Their offense will be too much for the Raiders to handle, and without Michael Bush or an elite wide receiver, San Diego's defense should create havoc for Oakland.

It's always harder to play on the road, especially in the AFC West.

Difficulty Rating: 7.5/10

Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City went from winning the division in 2010 to barely being competitive in 2011. The Chiefs won a game against San Diego last season because of a silly mistake by Philip Rivers and the offense.

Don't count them out, though. With Jamaal Charles, Dwayne Bowe and Tamba Hali all healthy, the Chiefs are quite scary.  

The Chiefs go from a 7/10 rating to a 9/10 just by playing in Arrowhead Stadium. It has been causing problems for the Chargers more than any other stadium the last couple of years.

Difficulty Rating: 9/10

Denver Broncos

I'm sorry, did I put Broncos? I meant Peyton Manning.

The Broncos have two defensive stars in Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller who can get to the quarterback as well as anyone in the league. Their offense was average at best, but that was before Peyton Manning arrived.

Manning may not have the line he did in Indianapolis, the receiving core and (if Willis McGahee leaves) the run game. But still, let's be honest, it's Peyton Manning, prepare for the best.

Yes, the Chargers have been known to create problems for Manning, but they should not be thinking it will be an easy game.

Denver isn't an easy place to win at, and the Chargers have struggled recently. It should be a tough matchup for them.

Difficulty Rating: 8/10

Cleveland Browns

Colt McCoy, at times, has shown promise, but his weapons are limited. Trent Richardson or Justin Blackmon should be playing in Cleveland next season, which will make them a far better team. Not so sure if they'll improve the way the Bengals did with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green last season, but there will definitely be an improvement.

The Browns will be better than last season, but they shouldn't be a problem for the Chargers.  

Difficulty Rating: 4/10

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If only this game were in San Diego. The Chargers will get their firsthand look at Vincent Jackson playing with the Buccaneers this season.

Tampa Bay has majorly improved their team. They also have a high draft pick at number five. Morris Claiborne is the likely candidate to end up in Tampa, but Trent Richardson could as well.

Tampa Bay's fate rests on Josh Freeman. If he continues to play inconsistently, the Buccaneers will not be a threat. But if he plays well with his new weapons, Tampa Bay could be very dangerous.

Difficulty Rating: 6/10

New York Jets

TIMMY! The Chargers somehow will not escape Tebow Time this season. Going from Denver to New York, San Diego will only have to play against him once this season. He may not even play for all we know.

The Jets do not have a feared defense like the Ravens, but you always have to be ready for Revis and company. Philip Rivers is not afraid to throw to Revis Island or former teammate Antonio Cromartie. If the Chargers can stop the Jet offense, mainly the rushing attack, they will win the game.

Difficulty Rating: 8/10

New Orleans Saints

Another chance for the Chargers to witness a former player. Darren Sproles, the lightning bug, will play against San Diego for the first time in his career this season. The Saints resemble the Chargers. Both have spectacular offenses that never struggle to put up points, but their defenses are shaky.

With everything going on around the Saints, everyone is forgetting one thing: Drew Brees is still their quarterback. He's a leader. He's a winner. He'll do what it takes to make the Saints the best team in the league, even without his coach.

The Chargers should go into New Orleans ready for a shootout.

Difficulty Rating: 9.5/10

Pittsburgh Steelers

Here is the team that the Chargers can't seem to beat, especially on the road. The Pittsburgh Steelers have that brutal defense that somehow slows Philip Rivers down. Rashard Mendenhall may not be healthy, which is a plus for San Diego.

The problem that the Chargers always have with the Steelers, ironically, is not stopping their offense, it's making plays against their defense. This should be a hard-fought, low-scoring game.

Difficulty Rating: 10/10

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