The Los Angeles Chargers travel to Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee this Sunday to take on the Tennessee Titans in a game that fans are likely hoping never feels all that close. Tennessee is just a woeful team, and they’ve already started moving players ahead of next week’s trade deadline. There’s even a chance the Chargers could come out of this matchup with a new face from Tennessee flying back to Los Angeles to help in their playoff push.

The Chargers need all the assistance they can get, because these next four games are about as important as they come at this point in the season.

They have to take advantage of this soft stretch on the schedule if they want any real shot at the AFC West crown — or at the very least, a Wild Card berth. It’s looking increasingly likely that three playoff teams could come from the division this year, but that only holds true if none of them begin to stumble down the stretch.

The Bolts undoubtedly have the easiest four-game run of the three contenders in the division. They face Tennessee on the road, then return home to play Pittsburgh, travel to Jacksonville, and finish that stretch hosting Las Vegas. Those are four games they should absolutely be favored in — and, realistically, expected to win. Aside from the trip to Jacksonville, the Chargers should feel confident about handling business in each of those matchups. Of course, anything can happen, but blowing this stretch would be devastating.

Meanwhile, Denver and Kansas City both face tougher roads ahead. For the Broncos, they’ll visit Houston, host Las Vegas and Kansas City, then travel to Washington. As for the Chiefs, they’ve got a trip to Buffalo, a visit to Denver, a home game against the Colts, and a road showdown in Dallas.

That’s why this upcoming run is crucial for Los Angeles. The Chargers can easily gain ground in the division with strong play over the next month. Given how solid both Denver and Kansas City look, they need to take advantage now and create some separation before the final stretch of the regular season.

They did it earlier in the year when they jumped out to a 3-0 divisional record. Now, it’s time for another push — a statement that this team is still capable of winning the division and hosting a playoff game at SoFi Stadium come January.

Take it one week at a time. Handle your business. And show the league that as this roster gets healthy, the Chargers won’t be stopped.

It starts this Sunday in Nashville.