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San Diego Chargers: Key Games to Watch for in 2016

By Eric Robinson

Dec 20, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) hands off to San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) in the first half of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) hands off to San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) in the first half of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) and running back Jamaal Charles (25) speak during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) and running back Jamaal Charles (25) speak during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 1: at Kansas City Chiefs

The buzzsaw that was the Kansas City Chiefs limited the Chargers to just six total points in both divisional games in 2015 while surrendering 43 points to the Chiefs. Did I mention that Kansas City didn’t even have their best offensive weaponRB Jamaal Charles in either contest?

A Chargers defense that was 21st in yards allowed and points allowed in 2015 will have their hands full with Charles, WR Jeremy Maclin, and TE Travis Kelce. On offense, the protection for Phillip Rivers has to improve in a hurry, especially with the possibility of Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, and Dee Ford pinning their ears back to make Rivers uncomfortable for four quarters.

What will be interesting is how the arsenal of Allen, Benjamin, and Stevie Johnson along with Antonio Gates will be defended against the sixth ranked Kansas City passing defense in 2015 that is led by CB Marcus Peters and FS Eric Berry.

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