Los Angeles Chargers @ New England Patriots Prediction & Preview

When and where

I said in a previous article that I still find it strange to call them LA instead of San Diego. The Pats' search for their first playoff game win since the 2019 AFC Wild Card showdown in Foxborough against the Los Angeles Chargers. The game kicks off at 8pm EST and you can watch it live on NBC/NBC 10 and listen on 98.5 FM The Sports Hub radio.

Previous meetings and all-time record

The Pats and Chargers have met 46 times in history, including 4 postseason meetings; the Patriots lead the series 27-17-2. Los Angeles was a 40-7 victors in the most recent regular-season meeting on December 28th, 2024. New England has to go back to the 31st October 2021 to find the last time the Pats were winners in the matchup, a 27-24 win in Los Angeles. The last meeting between the clubs in the postseason was a dominant 41-28 New England win in the 2018 AFC Divisional Round on January 13th, 2019: A season where the Pats went on to win the Super Bowl. Overall, the Pats are 3-1 against the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers in the four postseason games between the clubs. The Chargers' only win came in 1964, when the Patriots were called the Boston Patriots. 

Who and what to look out for

The New England Patriots have been one of the NFL’s most successful postseason franchises under owner Robert Kraft. Since he purchased the team in 1994, the Patriots have won 33 playoff games, which ranks third among all ownership groups in league history and is the most by any team during that span. Kraft’s 33 postseason wins are also the third-most by any owner in NFL history. The team has played in 59 playoff games and will reach 60 with this week’s contest, putting them fifth all-time behind only Dallas, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, and San Francisco.

Head coach Mike Vrabel brings significant playoff experience into this matchup. This is his fourth postseason appearance as a head coach and his third as a division champion, following New England’s AFC East title. Previously with the Tennessee Titans, Vrabel led his teams to three playoff berths and two division crowns. He holds a 2–3 career postseason record, including 1–1 marks in both the Wild Card and Divisional rounds and an 0–1 record in the AFC Championship Game.

The Patriots also have history on their side against the Los Angeles Chargers. With a win in this Wild Card game, New England would improve to 4–1 all-time against the Chargers in the postseason. Their most recent playoff appearance came in January 2022 at Buffalo, and only six players from that roster remain on the team today: Christian Barmore, Hunter Henry, Anfernee Jennings, Mike Onwenu, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Jahlani Tavai.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is the most experienced postseason player on the Patriots’ roster. He has appeared in 14 playoff games, recording 69 receptions for 909 yards and four touchdowns. He is closing in on several milestones, needing 91 more yards to reach 1,000 career postseason receiving yards and 17 more catches to crack the NFL’s all-time top 10 in playoff receptions. Among Patriots players, Diggs has the most playoff games played, with cornerback Carlton Davis III next at nine.

Predictions and favourites

Admittedly, I was happy when it was confirmed that the Chargers were our Wild Card opponents. Do not confuse that with me thinking it will be easy or even straightforward; it certainly won't, no game in the playoffs ever is, as the Rams found out last night. I was happy because of all the options, the Pats match up well, are healthier, and I think New England shades it in terms of overall team quality in all three phases. Most bookies have the Pats as slight favorites. This will be a really tough test from a robust Harbaugh-coached team for Drake Maye & Co. If the Pats are playing from a lead, I think they can force some mistakes from the Chargers. If they have to play from behind and chase the game, the Chargers could punish the Pats equally. Special Teams will be crucial, and I think the Pats have a much stronger unit. My Prediction is Chargers 24, Pats 30. Go Pats!