Why Chargers Could Be Patriots’ Toughest Test Yet
Thanks to their historically easy schedule, the New England Patriots have not faced many good teams this season. Of their 17 games, only three came against a team that finished the year with a winning record.
While the Patriots’ regular season was a cakewalk, helping them win the AFC East and tie for the best record in the NFL, the playoffs are a different story. There are no easy teams left.
They may learn that the hard way when they host the Los Angeles Chargers this weekend in the Wild Card Round. In several respects, the Chargers are arguably New England’s toughest test yet.
For starters, Los Angeles has the best defense the Patriots have faced all year, ranking second in defensive EPA over the last 10 weeks.
For the season, the Chargers’ defense ranked ninth in points allowed, fifth in yards allowed and second in first downs allowed. Moving the ball against them will be difficult, even for an MVP candidate like Drake Maye.
Offensively, Los Angeles is dangerous as well. Justin Herbert is one of the league’s best quarterbacks and is playing in his third career postseason game, so he has some playoff experience under his belt.
The Chargers also take care of the football, posting the NFL’s lowest turnover rate this season. Winning the turnover battle is critical, especially in the postseason where every possession matters.
Lastly, Los Angeles has one of the league’s top coaches in Jim Harbaugh. Mike Vrabel’s been phenomenal, but this will be a tough matchup for him as well.
Add it all up, and the Chargers won’t be an easy out, especially after resting many of their starters last week. It won’t be surprising if they come into Gillette Stadium and upset New England’s untested, unproven and illness-stricken roster on Sunday night.