We're only a day away from knowing the Chargers 2024 regular-season schedule.
And there will be no shortage of top-tier showdowns as the Bolts get ready for Year 1 of the Jim Harbaugh Era.
Here are the top five matchups on the Bolts 2024 schedule:
1. The Harbaugh Bowl
There won't be any shortage of storylines when the Chargers host the Ravens this season.
Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz is now with the Bolts after spending the past 26 seasons in Baltimore. And both Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman and Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter used to coach for the Ravens.
The Bolts roster also features Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Hayden Hurst and Bradley Bozeman, all of whom used to wear purple.
The Chargers will also be looking to test themselves against one of the AFC's most consistent and best teams.
But the headliner, of course, will be The Harbaugh Bowl between Jim's Chargers and John's Ravens as
The brothers will meet up for the first time since Super Bowl XLVII in what will certainly be viewed as one of the most anticipated games of the entire season.
If there is any Chargers game likely to be on primetime or a holiday this year, this one is it.
2. Battle of star QBs
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is the NFL's highest paid player, with Justin Herbert not far behind him on that list.
So when two of the league's top signal callers (and overall players) get together, it's likely to be must-see TV.
The pair of top picks from the 2020 NFL Draft have met once before in a game that featured plenty of fireworks as Herbert threw for 300-plus yards and three scores to beat the Bengals.
Burrow has put together an impressive postseason resumé though, something Herbert likely has his sights on.
Another factor here: if the Bolts want to be a playoff team in 2024, this game will be a good measuring stick for them.
3. Road test in Atlanta
The Falcons have made plenty of headlines of late, but there's no denying their talent on the offensive side of the ball.
Kirk Cousins will lead a group of skill players that features Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, not to mention a strong offensive line.
This road game will be a strong test for Minter's defense in Year 1 against an Atlanta squad that likely has aspirations for a deep playoff run in the NFC.
Take a look back at the fifth week of the Chargers 2024 off-season program in monochrome
4. Toughness personified
Given the Chargers-Ravens connections we mentioned above, this game might have a little bit of a similar feel.
Harbaugh wants to build his team through the trenches, a mindset reinforced with the selection of tackle Joe Alt at No. 5 overall.
Mike Tomlin and Pittsburgh have the same belief as the Steelers just spent their first two picks on offensive linemen and drafted three overall last month.
This game could feature plenty of smashmouth football and both teams looks to establish the run early on.
And, much like the home game against Cincinnati, could be a barometer of where the Bolts stand against a potential AFC playoff team.
5. The division champs
We'll end with a home-and-home split against the Chiefs, who have grown into the Chargers fiercest rival in recent years.
We all know where Kansas City ranks among the league hierarchy with eight straight division titles and three Super Bowl titles in five years, a run that includes back-to-back championships.
The annual Herbert-Mahomes battles are always a classic, and the Bolts won't be shy about playing at Arrowhead.
But with Harbaugh in charge, the Bolts have a different aura about them now as the Chargers Head Coach has brought an edge and attitude to Southern California.
We'll see how the Chargers match up with the Chiefs, a team that everyone is looking to bring down these days.