You’re looking for the kickoff time. You’ve got the snacks ready, the jersey on, and you’re checking the clock. But if you’re asking what time do the la chargers play today, I have some tough news that might ruin your Wednesday.
They aren't playing. Not today, and honestly, not for a while.
The Los Angeles Chargers season officially hit a wall just three days ago. On Sunday night, January 11, 2026, the Bolts traveled to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots in the AFC Wild Card round. It was ugly. A 16-3 loss that felt even heavier than the score suggested. Because of that defeat, the Chargers are officially out of the playoffs. While other teams are gearing up for the Divisional Round this coming weekend, the guys in LA are already packing up their lockers at Hoagie Yerlian Drive.
The Brutal Reality of the Chargers Playoff Exit
It’s a weird feeling when the season just... stops. One day you’re dreaming of a Super Bowl run in Santa Clara, and the next, you’re looking at mock drafts.
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If you were hoping to see Justin Herbert take the field today, January 14, you're out of luck. The NFL schedule is currently in a mid-week lull between the Wild Card and Divisional rounds. Even if the Chargers had won, they wouldn't be playing today anyway. NFL games almost never happen on a Wednesday unless there's a massive weather emergency or a holiday quirk.
The loss to the Patriots was a bitter pill. The offense, led by Herbert, struggled to find any rhythm against a New England defense that seemed to know exactly what was coming. Scoring only three points in a do-or-die game is the kind of thing that leads to immediate, sweeping changes.
And boy, did those changes happen fast.
Coaching Chaos: Why the Offense Stalled
Just yesterday, Tuesday, January 13, the team made it official. Jim Harbaugh and the front office fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman and offensive line coach Mike Devlin.
People are talking. The fan base is split. Some say Roman didn't have the tools because of the massive injury list—losing both starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt is a death sentence for any scheme. Others, however, point to a "stagnant" playbook that failed to evolve.
When you have a quarterback like Herbert and you only manage 207 total yards in a playoff game, someone usually loses their job. This was the second-fewest yards in a playoff game in the history of the franchise. That’s a stat that sticks to you.
What Time Do The LA Chargers Play Today? Looking to 2026
Since there is no game today, the real question is when do we see them again?
The 2026 NFL regular season won't kick off until September 10, 2026. We don't have the exact times or dates for those games yet—the NFL usually drops that massive schedule release in mid-May—but we do know who they are playing.
Because of how the NFL rotation works, the Chargers' 2026 home and away opponents are already locked in. Here is the breakdown of who will be coming to SoFi Stadium:
- The Division Rivals: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and Las Vegas Raiders.
- AFC East Matchups: New York Jets and New England Patriots (a chance for revenge).
- NFC West Foes: Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers.
- The Standing-Based Game: Houston Texans.
The road schedule looks equally daunting. They’ll have to travel to places like Buffalo and Miami, plus their usual AFC West tour.
Why Justin Herbert is 0-3 in the Postseason
It’s the elephant in the room. Every time someone asks what time do the la chargers play today during the playoffs, the conversation eventually shifts to Herbert’s record.
He’s arguably one of the most talented throwers of the football we’ve ever seen. Yet, the postseason hasn't been kind. This 16-3 loss to the Patriots makes him 0-3 in playoff games. Is it him? Is it the coaching? Is it the curse of the Chargers?
Last year, they got smoked by the Texans 32-12 in the Wild Card. This year, they couldn't find the end zone once. For a team with an 11-6 regular season record, these early exits are becoming a pattern that Jim Harbaugh was specifically hired to break.
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Next Steps for the Bolts
Since you can't watch a game today, here is what you should be watching instead. The Chargers hold the No. 22 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The search for a new offensive coordinator is the number one priority. Harbaugh needs someone who can protect Herbert—who was sacked 60 times this year—and revitalize a run game that disappeared when Omarion Hampton went down with his ankle injury.
If you're looking for football to watch this weekend since the Chargers are out, here is the Divisional Round slate:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET, CBS)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET, FOX)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET, ABC/ESPN)
- Sunday, Jan 18: LA Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET, NBC)
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the coaching search. The team is expected to interview candidates over the next two weeks. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, watch the Divisional Round games of teams like the Lions or Dolphins—coordinators from those high-flying offenses are often at the top of the interview list for teams like the Chargers who need a spark.