Power Ranking San Diego Chargers' 2013 Schedule from Easiest to Hardest Games

When power ranking the San Diego Chargers' 2013 schedule from easiest to hardest, we had to keep in mind that the Bolts have the second-weakest schedule in the NFL this season according to ESPN.

Most of the team's competition will come from within its own division, after the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs made improvements in the offseason. However, there are a few matchups outside the division that are worth noting.

New head coach Mike McCoy took in the release of the schedule, but his reaction was no different from any other head coach preparing for a new season:

"

McCoy: "It's exciting to finally see the schedule. Every yr the schedule presents a long list of challenges, & this yr is no different."

— San Diego Chargers (@chargers) April 19, 2013"

While the Chargers may have an easy schedule statistically, this team is still adjusting to the recent changes within the organization, so a playoff run may be a bit of reach in McCoy's first run, even though he has a talented group at his disposal.

16. Raiders vs. Chargers (Week 16 in San Diego)

Date: Sunday, Dec. 22

Time: 4:25 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: CBS

Game Notes

• Last meeting in San Diego resulted in a 24-21 win for Chargers on Nov. 18, 2012.
• Chargers are 2-2 at home against the Raiders over the past four seasons.

Analysis: In what would end up being Norv Turner's final game as head coach of the Chargers in 2012, San Diego scraped out a 24-21 victory over the Raiders at home in the season finale despite a late surge by Oakland.

Looking at this matchup in 2013, the Raiders appear to be the short-handed team with key losses on defense that include: Rolando McClain, Michael Huff and Tommy Kelly.

Oakland failed to sign any difference-makers in free agency, but this rivalry usually results in a competitive contest regardless of rank.

15. Chargers vs. Raiders (Week 5 in Oakland)

Date: Sunday, Oct. 6

Time: 4:25 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: CBS

Game Notes

• Last meeting in Oakland resulted in 22-14 win for Chargers on Sept. 10, 2012.
• San Diego has won last two games in Oakland.

Analysis: The Chargers caught a break in their season opener against the Raiders after an injury to Oakland long snapper Jon Condo resulted in three botched snaps on punt attempts by his replacement, Travis Goethel.

The mistakes opened the door just enough for San Diego to secure a comfortable lead and start the season off on a positive note with a 22-14 victory.

The Chargers are no strangers to the Black Hole, but an easy win in Oakland is never a guarantee. San Diego has gotten the job done in Oakland the past two years, but this offense will have a new face under center after Carson Palmer got the boot in favor of Matt Flynn.

14. Chargers vs. Jaguars (Week 7 in Jacksonville)

Date: Sunday, Oct. 20

Time: 1:00 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: CBS

Game Notes

• Last meeting in Jacksonville resulted in 38-14 win for Chargers on Dec. 5, 2011.
• Jacksonville is the last team San Diego will face before bye week.

Analysis: The last time San Diego faced the Jags on the road was during the 2011 season. The Chargers steamrolled Jacksonville offensively, scoring 38 points on a near-perfect night of throwing the football by Philip Rivers.

Jacksonville's offense managed to score twice in the second quarter but remained scoreless the rest of the game. It was a rough outing for then-rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

Looking ahead to this season, the Chargers will likely face Gabbert yet again or possibly Chad Henne. San Diego will be on the road, but this game should be in the Chargers' favor. 

13. Chiefs vs. Chargers (Week 17 in San Diego)

Date: Sunday, Dec. 29

Time: 4:25 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: CBS

Game Notes

• Last meeting in San Diego resulted in 31-13 win for Chargers on Nov. 1, 2012.
• Kansas City will be third straight AFC West opponent San Diego faces during final three-game skid.

Analysis: The Chargers will, hopefully, close out the season on a high note when they go up against the Chiefs in the season finale. 

Having faced Kansas City just a few weeks prior at Arrowhead Stadium, Coach McCoy's team should already know what they're in for at home. The Chiefs being the third straight AFC West opponent could really mean something in terms of playoff chances as well, depending on how the Chargers' season plays out.

12. Chargers vs. Chiefs (Week 12 in Kansas City)

Date: Sunday, Nov. 24

Time: 1:00 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: CBS

Game Notes

• Last meeting in Kansas City resulted in 37-20 win for Chargers on Sep. 30, 2012.
• Chargers are 3-2 at Arrowhead Stadium in the past five seasons.

Analysis: The first of two annually scheduled meetings with AFC West-rival Kansas City will take place in the latter half of the season, making the need to win these division games that much more important as the schedule winds down.

The Chargers will get their first look at this revamped Chiefs team featuring new head coach Andy Reid and new quarterback Alex Smith. The Chiefs definitely took strides in the right direction to improve their team, but will it be enough to topple the Chargers?

11. Chargers vs. Titans (Week 3 in Tennessee)

Date: Sunday, Sept. 22

Time: 1:00 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: CBS

Game Notes

• Last meeting in Tennessee resulted in 42-17 win for Chargers on Dec. 25, 2009.
• Chargers faced Titans in San Diego during the same week last season.

Analysis: The Chargers made quick work out of Tennessee in the second week of last season, beating the Titans 38-10 in San Diego without the services of Antonio Gates and Ryan Mathews.

Jake Locker didn't have the greatest of experiences in last year's meeting, as he was forced to run for his life for much of the game and completed just 15 of his 30 passes on the day.

The Titans were players in free agency, adding big-name guys like Andy Levitre, Shonn Greene and Kevin Walter to their offense, but this team may be far off from AFC contenders in 2013. Still, the added assistance should help Tennessee be more competitive.

10. Chargers vs. Eagles (Week 2 in Philadelphia)

Date: Sunday, Sept. 15

Time: 1:00 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: CBS

Game Notes

• Last meeting in Philadelphia resulted in 20-17 loss for Chargers on Oct. 23, 2005.
• Eagles will be first road opponent of the 2013 season.

Analysis: San Diego's last visit to Philly during the regular season was back in 2005 when Donovan McNabb still ran the show.

Fast forward to 2013, and there's some big differences with this Eagles team. For one, Andy Reid is no longer the Eagles head coach. Now, college hot-shot and former Oregon head coach Chip Kelly is calling plays for the Eagles.

The next big difference is Michael Vick under center for the Eagles, at least for the time being. Until the draft unfolds, we don't know exactly who Kelly will entrust with his new offense.

Philadelphia is expecting a huge turnaround from a 4-12 season a year ago, but the Eagles have a lot of holes to fill on their squad. 

9. Chargers vs. Dolphins (Week 11 in Miami)

Date: Sunday, Nov. 17

Time: 1:00 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: CBS

Game Notes

• Last meeting in Miami resulted in 17-10 loss for Chargers on Oct. 5, 2008.
• First game of back-to-back 10 a.m. starts for Chargers

Analysis: A 1:00 p.m. game time on the East Coast really means a 10 a.m. game time for West Coast teams, translating to an earlier-than-usual start. San Diego heads to Miami in Week 11, returns home and then heads out to Kansas City for another 10 a.m. start in Week 12 (Something to think about if you believe in travel affecting games).

What makes this game tough is the added firepower Miami brought in during free agency. The Fins weren't thrifty in improving their football team. The Dolphins even managed to lure away former Chargers defensive end Vaughn Martin.

Miami did have a poor season in 2012, but the excessive spending in free agency should do this team good in 2013.

8. Cowboys vs. Chargers (Week 4 in San Diego)

Date: Sunday, Sept. 29

Time: 4:25 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: Fox

Game Notes

• Last meeting in San Diego resulted in 28-20 win for Chargers in preseason on Aug. 18, 2012.
• Chargers have not played Cowboys in regular season since 2009.

Analysis: Since 2008, the Cowboys have become a regular fixture of San Diego's preseason schedule, meaning these two are no strangers, but rarely do starters see the field long enough for the games to be considered competitive.

In Week 4, Cowboys vs. Chargers will actually matter for once. The interesting storyline here will center around the two quarterbacks. Both Philip Rivers and Tony Romo are determined to shake off a rough couple of previous seasons and finally prove they are some of the better quarterbacks in the league.

7. Colts vs. Chargers (Week 6 in San Diego)

Date: Monday, Oct. 14

Time: 8:30 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: ESPN

Game Notes

• Last meeting in San Diego resulted in 23-20 loss for Chargers on Nov. 23, 2008.
• Chargers will face Colts for first time since Peyton Manning era ended.

Analysis: The Chargers will face two of 2012's sensational rookie quarterbacks this season in Andrew Luck in Week 6 and Robert Griffin III in Week 9. 

After losing to the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens in last year's Wild Card Game, Luck and the Colts have much to build upon, especially with a healthy Chuck Pagano on the sidelines.

To add to that, this will also be the first time Chuck and his brother John Pagano (Chargers defensive coordinator) square off against one another as coaches.

6. Giants vs. Chargers (Week 14 in San Diego)

Date: Sunday, Dec. 8

Time: 4:25 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: Fox

Game Notes

• Last meeting in San Diego resulted in 45-23 win for Chargers on Sep. 25, 2005.
• San Diego is 2-0 against Giants in Eli Manning era.

Analysis: San Diegans weren't all that friendly to Eli Manning on his last visit to Qualcomm Stadium in 2005.

Just 17 months before that 2005 matchup, Manning deliberately refused to play for the Chargers despite being selected as the team's first overall pick in the 2004, which resulted in the trade for Philip Rivers. San Diego got its revenge, however, when it blew out New York 45-23 in the first meeting since the draft day debacle.

Some San Diegans may have already forgotten that squabble years ago, but the major diss by Manning could return sour feelings. Either way, the Giants are still a tough NFC opponent.

5. Chargers vs. Redskins (Week 9 in Maryland)

Date: Sunday, Nov. 3

Time: 1:00 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: CBS

Game Notes

• Last meeting in Maryland resulted in 23-17 win for Chargers on Nov. 27, 2005.
• Redskins will be first team Chargers face after bye week.

Analysis: The last time the Chargers set foot on FedEx Field, Drew Brees and LaDainian Tomlinson were still rocking Bolts jerseys, and Philip Rivers was just a second-year player riding the bench.

Obviously, a lot has changed for the Redskins since 2005, and by far the biggest change is the emergence of Robert Griffin III. Washington proved to be a contender with Griffin under center, going 10-6 during the regular season before losing to the Seattle Seahawks on Wild Card Weekend.

Assuming that Griffin is able to fully recover from his knee injury, which he suffered during the game against Seattle, the Chargers can expect a competitive showing from this improved Redskins team.

Stopping the run was a strong point of the Chargers last year, but it will be tough to contain RGIII and the Skins' new single-season rushing record-holder Alfred Morris.

4. Bengals vs. Chargers (Week 13 in San Diego)

Date: Sunday, Dec. 1

Time: 4:25 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: CBS

Game Notes

• Last meeting in San Diego resulted in 20-13 loss for Chargers on Dec. 2, 2012.
• Chargers faced Bengals during same week last season.

Analysis: A well-rested Bengals team will travel to San Diego following their bye week in hopes of stunning the Chargers at home a second straight year.

Cincinnati is one of those young teams that has been improving as of late, finishing last season 10-6 with a postseason loss in a wild-card matchup against the Houston Texans.

Last season, the Chargers made it a habit of sputtering on offense late in games, and that was a big reason the Bengals managed to come away with a win in San Diego last year. Cincinnati proved in 2012 that it can be dangerous on the road.

3. Broncos vs. Chargers (Week 10 in San Diego)

Date: Sunday, Nov. 10

Time: 4:25 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: CBS

Game Notes

• Last meeting in San Diego resulted in 35-24 loss for Chargers on Oct. 15, 2012.
• Chargers have lost two of last three games in San Diego to Broncos.

Analysis: Both meetings against Denver will be tough, but in Week 10 the Chargers will have the crowd on their side at Qualcomm Stadium. 

The last time the Broncos made the trip to San Diego it was an embarrassing scene for Chargers fans, as Peyton Manning and the Denver offense scored 35 unanswered points in the second half after San Diego was up 24-0 at halftime.

Coincidentally, this will also mark the first time Chargers head coach Mike McCoy will face his former team. McCoy may have enjoyed the scene last November when he watched his offense put a beating on the Chargers during that infamous Monday night game, but he won't tolerate an outing like that now that he's on the San Diego sideline.

2. Texans vs. Chargers (Week 1 in San Diego)

Date: Monday, Sept. 9

Time: 10:15 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: ESPN

Game Notes

• Last meeting in Houston resulted in 29-23 win for Chargers on Nov. 7, 2010.
• Chargers will play a second straight season on Monday Night Football opener.

Analysis: The Texans on Monday Night Football in the season opener is one tall order for a San Diego team that's undergone quite a few changes in the offseason. The new coaching staff will have its hands full preparing for a Houston squad that made the postseason last year and finished the regular season at 12-4.

Not to mention the fact that San Diego's (hopefully) rebuilt offensive line will be tested early when it goes up against last season's sack leader in defensive end J.J. Watt. No doubt this will be the toughest home game and second-toughest game of the season.

1. Chargers vs. Broncos (Week 15 in Denver)

Date: Thursday, Dec. 12

Time: 8:25 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: NFL Network

Game Notes

• Last meeting in Denver resulted in 30-23 loss for Chargers on Nov. 18, 2012.
• Before arrival of Peyton Manning in 2012, Chargers had won three straight games in Denver since 2009.

Analysis: Thursday night's game in Denver is the toughest game on the schedule for several reasons. The first one being the obvious fact that Denver has the home advantage. In 2012, the Broncos had a 7-1 record at Sports Authority Field, which is enough to make any visiting team a little concerned.

Secondly, with this matchup taking place in Week 15 of the season, it's highly likely that this game will be pivotal in San Diego's playoff hopes, meaning the pressure could be on late in the season. In fact, this AFC West rivalry will be the first of three straight scheduled for the remaining three weeks.

And finally, the Chargers are at a disadvantage here in terms of time to prepare for Denver. Just four days prior to their meeting with Peyton Manning, the Bolts will face Peyton's little brother Eli. The shortened week could have an impact.