Chargers face difficult schedule

The Chargers face a challenging 2007 schedule, as announced today by the NFL. Charger followers will face their own challenges, too.
The good news is the bad news on the schedule. Or do you think having your only Monday night home game of the year on Christmas Eve is ideal?
It may be ideal for those watching from home. It won’t be so special for those having to choose on Christmas Eve from among their family, their church and watching the Chargers live at Qualcomm Stadium.
Thanks, NFL!
The Chargers put themselves behind the eight-ball in their non-playoff 2005 season by losing their first two games. That’s also a possibility with a daunting 2007 schedule that begins Sept. 9 at home against the Chicago Bears and in a Sunday night game Sept. 16 at New England. We all know the Bears and Patriots advanced further than the Chargers in last year’s playoffs.
The next three weeks are also tough opponents: at Green Bay (Sept. 23), Kansas City (Sept. 30) and at Denver (Oct. 7). Then comes a home game against Oakland (Oct. 14), then a bye in Week 7.
The Chargers return from their bye as such: Houston (Oct. 28), at Minnesota (Nov. 4), Indianapolis (Sunday night, Nov. 11), at Jacksonville (Nov. 18), Baltimore (Nov. 25), at Kansas City (Dec. 2), at Tennessee (Dec. 9), Detroit (Dec. 16), Denver (Monday night, Dec. 24) and at Oakland (Dec. 30).
The five-week stretch from the Indianapolis through Tennessee games are all against teams expected to contend in 2007. Yes, this schedule is much tougher than in 2006. That’s the price you pay with a first-place schedule.
It shows the Chargers are a national player with the three prime-time contests at New England, and home against Indianapolis and Denver. Too bad the Denver game can’t be moved to Sunday night and off Christmas Eve!