The New England Patriots are locked in because the AFC’s No. 2 seed after ending their exceptional 2025 common season with a 14-3 report. Because of this, they’re going to host the No. 7 Los Angeles Chargers within the AFC Wild Card spherical.
The Chargers completed their marketing campaign at 11-6 after shedding their regular-season finale to the Denver Broncos, throughout which they benched quarterback Justin Herbert and several other starters. Had L.A. received, New England would have overtaken Denver because the No. 1 seed and earned a first-round bye.
That may have been the best-case state of affairs, however the Patriots ought to nonetheless really feel assured heading into subsequent week’s recreation. The Chargers, Buffalo Payments, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars had been the Patriots’ potential first-round opponents, and our Patriots Postgame Reside crew believes New England ended up with the perfect matchup.
“I feel it’s the greatest matchup for them,” Phil Perry mentioned. “I feel seeing the Chargers is a profit insofar as you are allowed to keep away from the Buffalo Payments. That, to me, can be the purpose on this state of affairs. That was the opposite probably opponent for you coming into this weekend. So, the truth that you may keep away from Josh Allen and that crew and James Prepare dinner and that working recreation — your run protection has been fairly porous over the course of the final couple of months right here. Preserve them at bay for so long as doable.
“Welcome within the Chargers, who’ve an incredible quarterback. You could possibly argue that is (Justin Herbert’s) greatest season. However that offensive line is so banged up. They’ve some very apparent weak factors to their crew that (Mike) Vrabel and his teaching workers ought to be capable to reap the benefits of.”
Tom E. Curran recognized teaching, quarterback play, and home-field benefit as key strengths for the Patriots towards the Chargers.
“I feel the teaching workers figures prominently,” Curran mentioned. “You could possibly take a look at Vrabel and Jim Harbaugh and say, ‘Nicely, who’s received the sting?’ I might suppose Vrabel, particularly this yr with what he is gotten out of this crew.
“You could possibly even take a look at the quarterbacks, and I might say that Drake Maye is a greater participant than Justin Herbert based mostly upon 2025, and I do like Drake Maye’s decision-making higher than Justin Herbert’s. Justin Herbert is an unbelievably gifted participant and similar to Drake Maye, however he has extra mind farts. I’ve simply seen far more mind farts from him over the course of his profession in leverage conditions. Plus, they’ve to come back out right here (to New England). I feel the Patriots ought to be capable to win this recreation.”
Former Pats linebacker Ted Johnson identified the Chargers’ protection has been among the many league’s greatest all season. Even so, he likes Drake Maye and the Patriots’ possibilities in entrance of a rowdy Gillette Stadium crowd.
“I just like the matchup. I do. It was my preferable matchup,” Johnson mentioned. “You take a look at the offense for the Chargers, I imply, they’re wonderful in third down, after which each different metric they’re common or beneath common. Their protection, although, that lots of people speak about, led by their stud Derwin James, their security, is fairly rattling good, although.
“However I like our offense going up towards that protection, and I simply suppose it is all the time essential. I all the time wish to issue within the exterior components, the journey, going throughout nation, in addition to the climate right here. I’ve seen some playoff video games towards the Chargers right here in Foxboro, and it often favors the Patriots. So I like that the exterior components favor the Patriots on this matchup as effectively.”
The Patriots had the edge over the Chargers in each main offensive class through the 2025 season. Additionally they allowed fewer factors per recreation and speeding yards per recreation, however L.A.’s protection had extra takeaways, fewer passing yards allowed per recreation, and fewer whole yards allowed per recreation.
Subsequent week will mark New England’s first postseason look since 2021. Los Angeles fell within the AFC Wild Card Spherical final yr and has just one playoff win since 2013.
Trending Merchandise
