Column: ‘Hate watching’ guide to Chargers schedule (plus for those who still love L.A.’s new team)

The NFL schedule release gave us much joy for so many years – knowing when a certain opponent was coming to town, being able to book hotels and flights for a road trip, sizing up the Chargers’ difficult stretches and predicting how they would fare.

Now there is no home team.

Still, perhaps the release of the Chargers schedule means something.

Maybe it’s a different kind of caring some San Diegans will do in 2017.

For St. Louisans last year, they found perverse pleasure in “hate watching” the Los Angeles Rams. So there’s that. And several fans who loved the Chargers for many (or all) of their 56 seasons will continue to love watching them.

Monday, Sept. 11, 7:20 p.m. ESPN

At Denver Broncos

Why to hate watch: You will have been waiting 242 days for this misery. Enjoy it. Do so wearing orange.

Why you’ll love watching: Antonio Gates probably sets NFL record for career touchdowns by a tight end.

Sunday, Sept. 17, 1:05 p.m., CBS

Miami Dolphins

Why to hate watch: Maybe there will be enough Dolphins fans to take away homefield advantage in home opener – especially with Rams playing better opponent (Washington) just up freeway at same time.

Why you’ll love watching: It’s like when we thought a game against Dolphins was the Chargers’ final one in San Diego. Only different.

Sunday, Sept. 24, 1:25 p.m. CBS

Kansas City Chiefs

Why to hate watch: There will definitely be enough Chiefs fans to take away homefield advantage.

Why you’ll love watching: Alex Smith is 5-0 with a 102.2 rating in his past five games against the team that left his hometown. His dominance has to stop at some point. He’s a game manager, right?

Sunday, Oct. 1, 1:05 p.m. Fox

Philadelphia Eagles

Why to hate watch: Do like Dean Spanos when talking about how he “tried” in San Diego and revise history by claiming you loved Frank Reich when he was the Chargers’ offensive coordinator. (He has that job for the Eagles now.)

Why you’ll love watching: Sprolesy! Back in Sa-- … Southern California!

Sunday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. CBS

At New York Giants

Why to hate watch: Relish the fact the Eli Manning is the one with two rings, because he never played in San Diego.

Why you’ll love watching: Site of one of the great comeback victories (and sideline celebration sprints) of the Philip Rivers era.

Sunday, Oct. 15, 1:25 p.m. CBS

At Oakland Raiders

Why to hate watch: “Yeah, Dean, my team still play in this hellhole. But I’ll have my own stadium in Vegas in a few years.”

Why you’ll love watching: Can’t. Transient traitors rubbed in our faces.

Sunday Oct. 22, 1:25 p.m. CBS

Denver Broncos

Why to hate watch: Broncos have won nine of past 11 meetings.

Why you’ll love watching: Mutual respect between hardcore competitors Von Miller and Rivers makes for good theater.

Sunday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. CBS

At New England Patriots

Why to hate watch: Including playoffs, Tom Brady-led Patriots have won six straight over Chargers.

Why you’ll love watching: That Brady is pretty good. Rivers is better than his 73.4 rating in those six losses.

BYE

Hate: Yeah, “Bye” is what the Chargers to San Diego.

Love: Those who have been going to games get a break from that drive.

Sunday, Nov. 12, at Jacksonville Jaguars

Why to hate watch: The Jags could be our team. If they ever leave Jacksonville. Which they won’t. And if they do, they’ll go to London.

Why you’ll love watching: What Tom Brady is to the Chargers, Rivers is to the Jaguars. In six straight victories, he has a 131.5 rating. Thee Jags have accounted for two of the Chargers’ nine wins since the start of 2015.

Sunday, Nov. 19, Buffalo Bills

Why to hate watch: You know the Bills will be confident after that 32-3 win in their last trip to play the Los Angeles Chargers – on Nov. 20, 1960.

Why you’ll love watching: The Chargers have won five straight home games against the Bills. Of course …

Thursday, Nov. 23, 1:30 p.m. CBS

At Dallas Cowboys

Why to hate watch: Seriously? They get to play in this Thanksgiving Day game? Now?

Why you’ll love watching: This is where Rivers differentiates himself from Tony Romo in the Hall of Fame conversation. With Tony Romo in the TV booth.

Sunday, Dec. 3, 1:05 p.m. CBS

Cleveland Browns

Why to hate watch: The glow of Christmas Eve ’16 still warms us, when the Chargers returned to San Diego for the final time, as losers. Basically, the same way the franchise slinked out of San Diego three weeks later.

Why you’ll love watching: The chances of the Browns beating anyone two years in a row? Come on.

Sunday Dec. 10, 1:05 p.m. CBS

Washington Redskins

Why to hate watch: A team that took a city’s soul vs. a team with a heartless nickname. Too easy.

Why you’ll love watching: No more RGIII. He was too tough for the Chargers to beat four years ago.

Saturday, Dec. 16, 5:30 p.m. NFL Network

At Kansas City Chiefs

Why to hate watch: First game for both franchises was Sept. 10, 1960 at the L.A. Colisuem. Chargers beat the Dallas Texans, 21-20. Nothing like a reminder of the good old days to stir up some anger.

Why you’ll love watching: Tamba Hali has sacked Rivers 13.5 times in his career – but not once in their past three meetings. (Given the state of the Chargers’ offensive line, you look for hope wherever you can.)

Sunday, Dec. 24, 10 a.m. CBS

At New York Jets

Why to hate watch: What better way to spend Christmas Eve than watching L.T.’s former team get beat by his other former team. OK, don’t watch.

Why you’ll love watching: Whoever the Jets’ quarterback is will be horrible. If Jason Verrett is still healthy, he should have a good day.

Sunday, Dec. 31, 1:25 p.m. CBS

Oakland Raiders

Why to hate watch: So many Raiders fans. Such a tiny stadium.

Why you’ll love watching: Day before the big college bowl games, the Relocation Bowl.

kevin.acee@sduniontribune.com