If you're scouring the internet looking for the chargers game today time, I've got some news that might sting a little. There actually isn't a game today. Honestly, the season just came to a crashing halt.
On Sunday, January 11, 2026, the Los Angeles Chargers traveled to a freezing Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots. It was the AFC Wild Card round. Most of us expected a shootout between Justin Herbert and Drake Maye. Instead, we got a defensive slugfest that left the Bolts on the wrong side of a 16-3 scoreline.
Why the Chargers aren't playing today
Basically, the playoffs move fast. Because the Chargers lost their Wild Card matchup, they were officially eliminated from the 2025-26 postseason. While the Divisional Round is about to kick off—featuring teams like the Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos—Jim Harbaugh's squad is already heading back to Southern California to clean out their lockers.
It’s a tough pill to swallow. The team finished the regular season with a solid 11-6 record. They looked like a real threat. But that game in Foxborough was a disaster for the offense. Herbert was sacked six times. The Patriots' defense, led by a revitalized secondary, held the Chargers to under 210 total yards. You can't win in January when you can't find the end zone.
Looking ahead to the 2026 schedule
Since there's no chargers game today time to plan your afternoon around, your focus probably shifts to "When do they play again?" The 2026 regular season won't start until September, but we already know who they're playing. Thanks to the NFL's rotation and their second-place finish in the AFC West, the 2026 slate looks absolutely brutal.
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The Chargers are set to face the ninth-toughest schedule in the league based on 2025 winning percentages. They’ll have nine road games and eight at home.
- Home Games at SoFi Stadium: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Houston Texans.
- Away Matchups: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What happened to the offense?
People are going to talk about that 16-3 loss for a long time. It wasn't just the cold. It was the lack of protection. Harbaugh’s philosophy is usually built on winning the trenches, but against New England, the offensive line looked like a revolving door.
Herbert is still "the guy," obviously. But he looked frustrated. He didn't have a receiver who could consistently create separation when the Patriots went to man-to-man coverage. Watching the game, it felt like every completion was a struggle. No rhythm. No explosive plays. Just a lot of third-and-longs that ended in punts.
Key takeaways for the offseason
You've probably noticed that the AFC West is changing. The Chiefs had a weirdly down year, finishing 6-11. The Broncos, however, surged to a 14-3 record. The Chargers are right in the middle of that transition. To take the next step and actually have a game to play during the Divisional Round next year, they have to fix a few glaring holes.
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First, the interior defensive line needs more beef. They got pushed around in the run game during the final weeks of the season. Second, the wide receiver room needs a true speedster. They have possession guys, but they lack someone who makes safeties lose sleep.
Actionable steps for fans
Even though there's no game today, being a fan doesn't stop. Here is what you should be tracking over the next few months to stay ahead of the curve.
1. Watch the Divisional Round scouting-style. Keep an eye on the Texans and Ravens. These are the teams the Chargers will have to leapfrog next year. Pay attention to how their offensive lines handle elite pass rushes—that was the Bolts' Achilles' heel.
2. Circle the NFL Draft in April. The Chargers will likely have a mid-first-round pick. Expect them to look at tackle or a high-end edge rusher. Harbaugh loves building from the inside out.
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3. Monitor the coaching staff. After a playoff exit where the offense only managed three points, there might be some shuffling with the offensive assistants.
4. Check the 2026 schedule release in May. That’s when we’ll get the actual dates and kickoff times for the next season. Until then, Sunday afternoons are going to be a lot quieter for the Bolt Fam.
The loss to the Patriots was a reality check. The "today time" for the Chargers is now focused on the front office and the draft board rather than the scoreboard. It’s a long wait until September, but the foundation is there if they can figure out how to protect their franchise quarterback.