Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
Time, TV: 1:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Patriots by 4
1. A tough history for Los Angeles: In his career and including the postseason, Philip Rivers hasn’t won any game he has played in Foxborough, going 0-4 since he became the Chargers’ starting quarterback in 2006. He is 0-7 against the Patriots when Tom Brady starts at quarterback. In the games against Brady, Rivers’ touchdown-to-interception ratio is 7-to-10. Rivers’ lone win against New England came in 2008. 2. Checkdowns and passes in the flat: The Chargers posted an incredible defensive performance in the wild-card victory against the Ravens in which they used several defensive backs to infuse speed on the field to neutralize athletic Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson. Against the Patriots, the Chargers might look to the same strategy for a different reason. Los Angeles allowed 973 receiving yards to running backs, which ranked last among all teams. That could be potentially problematic, since New England relies on its running backs, especially James White, in the receiving game. White led the Patriots in receptions (87) and receiving touchdowns (seven) and ranked second in receiving yards (751).
3. Chargers are road warriors: One trend they have on their side, however, is a track record of excellence on the road this season. The Chargers went 7-1 in the regular season in away games, with their loss coming in Week 3 against the crosstown Rams. When adding the Chargers’ wild-card round upset on the road against the Ravens on Sunday and their Week 7 victory against the Titans in London, their mark when traveling outside of Los Angeles’ city limits is 9-0. One potential problem for the Chargers and their success away from home: In the regular season, the Patriots went 8-0 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.