Chargers to play six primetime contests

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Tuesday, Apr 15, 2008
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

The NFL announced Tuesday that the Bolts will play nearly one third of their games under the lights as the reigning AFC West champions are slated for six nationally-televised primetime contests, including five at home.

Such an attractive home schedule is great for the team’s ticket holders, and a limited number of tickets for home games are available. Fans may purchase them by visiting Gate C at Qualcomm Stadium or by calling 1-877-CHARGERS.

Bolts’ fans first opportunity to see the two-time defending AFC West Champions comes in Week 1 as the Chargers open their season at home against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 7. A week later they’re on the road in Denver before returning to San Diego for their first primetime game in Week 3 against the New York Jets on Monday night, Sept. 22. ESPN’s Monday Night Football crew of Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser will call the game.

The schedule features three two-game road stretches for the Chargers, the first of which takes place in late September when the Bolts travel to Oakland (Sept. 28) and Miami (Oct. 5) for consecutive road games in Weeks 4 and 5.

On Oct. 12, LaDainian Tomlinson and company return home seeking to avenge their loss in the AFC Championship Game as they host the New England Patriots in the Chargers’ first of three appearances on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Kickoff from Qualcomm Stadium is scheduled for 5:15 Pacific Time. Al Michaels and John Madden are back in the booth for NBC.

The longest regular-season road trip in team history begins in Week 7. The Chargers will face the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Oct. 19. Instead of returning to San Diego after the game, Head Coach Norv Turner’s men will travel across the Atlantic Ocean immediately following the Bills contest and head to London, England. As previously announced, the Chargers and Saints will meet at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 26.

As expected, a Week 9 bye brings a little rest for the well-traveled Chargers. Immediately following their off week, the Bolts resume AFC West play as they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 9.

Week 11 sends the Chargers back to the East Coast for the third time as the Blue and Gold face the Black and Gold in Pittsburgh. The Bolts and Steelers will kickoff from Heinz Field at 1:15 Pacific, which likely means the defending AFC West and AFC North Champions will be featured as the second part of CBS’s national doubleheader.

For the first time since 2001, the Chargers will play three-consecutive home games. The Bolts also finish their season by playing four of their last six at home, and that stretch begins with a rematch of their AFC Divisional Playoff win over Indianapolis. The Colts and Chargers meet in a nationally-televised NBC Sunday Night contest on Nov. 23.

Former Chargers running back Michael Turner and the Atlanta Falcons visit San Diego on Nov. 30, and just four days later the Bolts will host a nationally-televised Thursday night game against the Oakland Raiders on the NFL Network.

Week 15 brings the Chargers’ final two-game road trip of the season as they play in Kansas City on Dec. 14 and a week later appear in their third NBC Sunday Night Football telecast against the defending NFC South Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bolts wrap up their 2008 regular season on Dec. 28 as they host the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium.

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