If you’re checking your phone or scanning the TV guide to see who do the Chargers play this week, I’ve got some tough news. The ride is over. For those who missed the action last Sunday night at Gillette Stadium, the Los Angeles Chargers saw their 2025-2026 campaign come to a screeching halt in the Wild Card round.
They aren't playing anyone this week. Honestly, it’s a bit of a gut punch considering how much momentum Jim Harbaugh had built in his second year. While the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs are still duking it out in the Divisional Round this weekend, the Bolts are back in Southern California, likely starting their exit interviews and looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft.
What Happened to the Chargers?
Last week was supposed to be the statement game. The Chargers traveled to Foxborough to face a New England Patriots team that has been a thorn in their side for decades. Despite a solid 11-6 regular season record and clinching a playoff berth for the second straight year, the offense just couldn't find the end zone.
The final score was a measly 16-3 in favor of the Patriots.
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It was a defensive slugfest that felt more like a 1970s Big Ten game than a modern NFL playoff matchup. Justin Herbert was under fire all night. The offensive line, which had been a strength for most of the season behind Joe Alt and Zion Johnson, struggled to contain a relentless New England pass rush.
- Final Score: Patriots 16, Chargers 3
- Key Stat: The Chargers were held to their lowest point total of the entire season.
- The Result: Elimination from the AFC playoffs.
Who is Playing in the NFL This Week Instead?
Since the Chargers are out, the AFC Divisional Round is moving forward without them. If you’re a football fan just looking for some high-stakes action, here is what the schedule looks like for Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Saturday, January 17
The action kicks off in Denver. The top-seeded Broncos are hosting the Buffalo Bills. This is a massive game because Denver has looked like a juggernaut lately, and the Bills are trying to finally get over that hump. Later tonight, the San Francisco 49ers head up to Seattle to face the Seahawks in an NFC West rivalry game that usually ends in some sort of chaos.
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Sunday, January 18
The team that beat the Chargers—the New England Patriots—will host the Houston Texans at 3:00 PM ET. It’s kinda wild to see Houston in this position, but C.J. Stroud has been playing lights-out. The weekend wraps up with the Chicago Bears hosting the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field.
Basically, the "other" L.A. team is still alive while our Bolts are heading to the golf course.
Why This Season Still Felt Different
Even though they aren't playing this week, you can't say the 2025 season was a total failure. Jim Harbaugh has fundamentally changed the culture in that locker room. Remember the 3-0 start? That was the first time the franchise had done that since 2002.
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The defense, led by Jesse Minter, actually became a top-10 unit. Derwin James and Tuli Tuipulotu were absolute monsters for the majority of the year. They finished 9th in points allowed per game, which is a massive leap from where this team was just a few years ago.
The problem was the inconsistency. One week they’re putting up 37 points on the Vikings, and the next they’re losing a 19-3 heartbreaker to the Broncos in the regular-season finale. That lack of a "killer instinct" in January is what ultimately sent them home early.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since we know who do the Chargers play this week (spoiler: nobody), it's time to look at the 2026 opponents. The NFL has already released the home and away matchups for next year. While we don't have the specific dates yet—those usually drop in May—we know who is coming to SoFi Stadium.
2026 Home Opponents
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots (Yes, a chance for revenge)
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- Houston Texans
2026 Away Opponents
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Baltimore Ravens
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Rams (The "Hallway" game)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Actionable Steps for Chargers Fans
Since there's no game to watch this Sunday, here’s how you can stay plugged in during the offseason.
- Watch the Senior Bowl: Keep an eye on the interior defensive line and wide receiver prospects. The Chargers need more weapons for Herbert if they want to compete with the Chiefs in the AFC West.
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: While Harbaugh isn't going anywhere, keep an eye on whether any of his assistants get poached for head coaching jobs.
- Check the Salary Cap: Joe Hortiz (GM) has some big decisions to make. The Chargers have some aging veterans on expensive contracts, and we might see some surprising cuts or restructures in March.
The loss to New England was frustrating, no doubt about it. But the foundation is finally there. For the first time in a long time, it feels like the Chargers aren't just talented—they're actually well-coached. It just wasn't their year to make a deep run.