Pats’ defense aims to outsmart crafty Rivers

Foxborough, Mass. — Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers says thinking about how to defend against the Los Angeles Chargers has kept him up at night.

"Over the bye I had a dream about not setting the edge," Flowers said this week. "I woke up and it was a nightmare."

New England's leader this season with 7½ sacks, it was Flowers who gave opposing offenses fits as part of a defense that's had its struggles but did just enough during the regular season to earn victories against some of the NFL's top quarterbacks including Andrew Luck, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers.

The Patriots' next challenge is Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers , who will arrive in Foxborough on Sunday still looking for his first playoff victory (0-2) against New England and his first win over the Patriots with Tom Brady as the starting quarterback.

Rivers is 1-5 overall in regular-season meetings with New England, with his lone victory coming in 2008 when Brady was sidelined with a knee injury. He has yet to throw a touchdown pass against the Patriots in the postseason.

But Flowers said none of Rivers' past shortcomings are evident when he dissects the 37-year-old quarterback on film.

"He's definitely a veteran that's been very successful over his career," Flowers said. "I guess the experience just allows him to know that he can take over the offense, he can change things. It's just one of those things where you've got to be aware that he can come in and take over."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in that way the challenge of defending Rivers is not unlike the one Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger presents. Both are big presences in the pocket, giving them the ability to spot open receivers. Their size also makes them difficult to tackle.

"Makes good decisions with the ball, uses everybody — as he always does," Belichick said.

That said, defenses have been able to get to Rivers with the pass rush this season. He was sacked 32 times during the regular season, up from 18 a year ago.