San Diego Chargers: First Look at the 2012 Schedule (Home)

Home: Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.

Just reading the names, you can tell the Chargers have a tough schedule next season. Dates haven't been announced yet, just the opponents. Here's a look at the home matchups.

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 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.  

Difficulty Rating: 6/10

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.  

Difficulty Rating: 7/10

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.  

Difficulty Rating: 7/10

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are a great team. They're not good, they're great. And no, that was not a Frosted Flakes reference.

Ray Rice is a legitimate running back in the NFL. He's spectacular in the pass game, along with Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith.

Do I even need to mention their defense? The Chargers did embarrass the Ravens last season. Key word, last. Every year a new one, so San Diego needs to be prepared to face a stronger, faster and smarter Ravens team.  

Difficulty Rating: 10/10

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are coming off their best season in years. Andy Dalton proved why he deserved to be taken in the second round. A.J. Green became a Pro Bowl receiver his rookie season. Actually, so did Andy Dalton. Dalton to Green was an instant connection. Their chemistry will be even stronger next season, and the Chargers need to be ready for it.

The Bengals don't have the greatest defense, and Philip Rivers should take advantage of that. If San Diego's defense doesn't show up for this game, it should be a shootout between Dalton and Rivers.

Difficulty Rating: 6/10

Tennessee Titans

The Titans are being overlooked. Now that Peyton Manning chose the Broncos, Matt Hasselbeck should be returning to Tennessee. Their offense, if clicking, could be one of the top five in the NFL. As long as Chris Johnson doesn't play like he did last year and Kenny Britt doesn't get hurt once again, the Titans should have no issues being able to score the football.

Their defense isn't the greatest, and Philip Rivers should pick apart a secondary that now lacks Cortland Finnegan.

Difficulty Rating: 6/10

Atlanta Falcons

Here is another team with a great offense: Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and Julio Jones. San Diego's defense will have its hands full this season. Philip Rivers will enjoy it, though, because he'll be throwing the ball even more.

The Falcons are dangerous, and San Diego knows what Turner can do first hand.  

Difficulty Rating: 8/10

Carolina Panthers

This game should be very exciting. Ron Rivera makes his return to San Diego along with Mike Tolbert, Legedu Naanee and Seyi Ajirotutu.

It should also be exciting to see Cam Newton in San Diego. Just like every other home game, this will be very tough on the defense. Another game, another shootout for Philip Rivers.

Difficulty Rating: 6/10