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2026 Los Angeles Chargers Predictions with Best Bets and Odds to Win the Super Bowl

by Spencer Toth - 8/20/2026

Los Angeles Chargers predictions Justin Herbert

The Los Angeles Chargers have been bounced in the Wild Card round of the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, but there is real optimism around this team that this could be the year they finally go deep. Justin Herbert is lauded as one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the league, but he has yet to win a playoff game in his career. A revamped offensive line should be able to keep him upright, and a strong Chargers defense means there may be complementary football being played in Los Angeles. Is this the year they finally get over the hump?

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Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Recap

The Los Angeles Chargers had several holes to fill in the offseason on both sides of the ball. Their offense finished 20th in points last season in large part due to their 32nd-ranked offensive line. Herbert was unable to get the protection he needed in the pocket, preventing Los Angeles from creating sustained drives. In the offseason, the Chargers made a big splash to sign center Tyler Biadasz to help fix this problem. Biadasz is one of the top centers in the league in both run blocking and pass protection, and looked to be the perfect fit for the Chargers. However, he hurt his ACL in training camp, and it is looking like he could be out for a considerable portion, if not all of the season. Fortunately, the Chargers drafted Jake Slaughter in the second round of the draft, which gives them some cover in one of the most important positions. Slaughter was likely slated to start on the bench this season, but Biadasz’s injury could see him thrust into a starting role. 

Elsewhere on offense, the Chargers brought in a pair of skill position players looking to make an impact. Omarion Hampton is still the RB1 in Los Angeles, but the arrival of Keaton Mitchell gives them more explosive speed in the backfield. Mitchell has incredible straight-line speed to go along with his small frame and excellent vision to find holes in the defense. At tight end, David Njoku will back up Oronde Gasden, but the Chargers will also likely run several two-tight-end sets to get both men on the field. Njoku has been withering away in Cleveland for his entire nine-year career, and it is exciting to see what he can do on a competent roster. Once you factor in the creative Mike McDaniel calling plays at offensive coordinator, this should be a well-oiled offense. 

On defense, the Chargers loaded up their front seven both through the draft and free agency. They used their first-round pick to select Akheem Mesidor, who can play both linebacker and edge rusher for Los Angeles. The Chargers will be hoping Mesidor can develop into the next dominant force in the footsteps of Khalil Mack, who also signed a two-year extension this offseason. 

That’s not all for Los Angeles, as they also signed veteran edge rushers Dalvin Tomlinson and Teair Tart over the summer. Both men are expected to be Week 1 starters and specialize in stopping the run. With pressure coming elsewhere and these two locking down the trenches, Los Angeles’ ninth-ranked defense may be even better this season. 

2026 Los Angeles Chargers Season Expectations

The Chargers have strung together back to back 11-6 seasons but have been unable to turn that positivity into anything tangible. They were bounced by the Patriots in the Wild Card round last season after scoring only three points, and allowing six sacks. While Biadasz is unlikely to play, the Chargers do have two new offensive linemen returning to the fray. Rashawn Slater is one of the best left tackles in the NFL, but missed last season after getting hurt in training camp. In the 2024 NFL draft, the Chargers selected Joe Alt with the 5th overall pick, but a Week 4 injury caused him to also sit out. These are two incredibly talented offensive linemen, and their ‘addition’ to the offense will go a long way. It is too early to say the Chargers will have a top-ten offensive line, but anything will be an improvement compared to last season. 

Assuming Herbert has a few extra seconds in the pocket, it will be thrilling to see what he can do. Herbert hasn’t had any offensive support from either the line or skill position players, but it now feels like he has both. The fact that he is still among the upper echelon of gunslingers despite poor circumstances speaks volumes to what he is capable of. His accuracy is unmatched; he isn’t afraid to get his legs going and is a true leader after battling through multiple injuries last season. He has a strong supporting cast, and there is no ceiling on what this offense can now accomplish. 

On defense, the Chargers will be a dominant unit. They were already excellent last year despite minimal offensive support, and now that they can potentially play complementary football, the AFC has more reason to watch out. Khalil Mack is one of the best linebackers in the league with a year or two more left in the tank; the Chargers drafted well on defense and made the changes up front needed to compete. Their secondary got a shakeup with Benjamin St-Juste leaving, but they still have Derwin James Jr. anchoring the open field. 

2026 Los Angeles Chargers Schedule Breakdown

The Los Angeles Chargers have a relatively difficult schedule this year. They have the ninth-hardest schedule based on last year’s standings and the 12th-hardest based on this year's projected win totals. The Broncos and Chiefs are expected to be dominant threats in the AFC West, and going through the gauntlet of the NFC West is never easy. 

 

One thing the Chargers must do is start 2-0. They host the Cardinals and Raiders to open up the season, their easiest two matchups of the season. Starting hot is important for any team, but with these two slated to kick things off, they must go 2-0 if they hope to make the playoffs. Their next seven games are against the Bills, Seahawks, Broncos, Chiefs, Rams, Texans, and Ravens, five of which are on the road. 

2026 Los Angeles Chargers Odds

The Los Angeles Chargers have a win total of 9.5 after stringing together back-to-back 11-6 seasons. A slight drop-off can be justified by their difficult schedule, but I still see a ton of value in the over. Looking at the division, Los Angeles has +190 odds to win the AFC West, trailing the Chiefs at +165 but edging out the Broncos at +220. They are likely to make it a third straight playoff appearance with -170 odds to qualify. Looking ahead to the playoffs, the Chargers have +800 odds to win the AFC and +1600 odds to lift the Super Bowl trophy. 

In terms of awards, Justin Herbert has +1000 odds to earn his first career MVP honors, making him the most likely to take home silverware. Pass rusher Akheem Mesidor has +1400 odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, making him the top candidate on that side of the ball, while Omarion Hampton is within shouting distance of Offensive Player of the Year honors with +4000 odds to win.

2026 Los Angeles Chargers Season Predictions and Best Bets

I am all over the Chargers this season. The fact they put up 11 wins with the 32nd-ranked offensive line last season speaks volumes to what this team is capable of. Not only did they have the worst line, but all five starters were in the bottom three individually at their respective positions. Losing Biadasz hurts, but the Chargers still got three major upgrades with Slater and Alt returning from injury, and rookie Slaughter getting slotted in. The rest of the offense will get a lift with a bit more time for plays to develop, and we already know what this defense is capable of. 

The first pick will not even be on the Chargers as a team, but on Justin Herbert to win MVP. Herbert has looked excellent without any pass protection, and it is remarkable to think about what he may be able to do now that he can stay upright. He has deadly accuracy, no shortage of arm strength, the legs to get him out of trouble, and an elite defense to turn his strong performances into wins. The other quarterbacks at the top of the list, like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Patrick Mahomes, may suffer from voter fatigue, while Herbert is a fresh new face that can sweep the voting with a high-caliber season. 

Looking at the Chargers as a whole, I am all over their division odds at +190. Kansas City has real problems on both sides of the ball and is clearly overvalued to win this division. It remains to be seen if Bo Nix’s ankle is 100% healthy, which leaves the Chargers with a clear path to the division crown. 

Once the Chargers make the playoffs, we are going all-in with their Super Bowl odds at +1600. I don’t recommend taking the Super Bowl for many teams as there is often better value in conference or other playoff props, but I believe the Chargers can go all the way. When they dominate the first two games of the season, these odds could quickly drop, making it crucial to lock in the best price now. Herbert hasn’t won a playoff game yet, but when he finally tastes glory, I expect it to snowball into a Super Bowl win. 

Top Pick: Justin Herbert MVP +1000

Pick: Los Angeles Chargers to Win the AFC West +190

Pick: Los Angeles Chargers Super Bowl +1600

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