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New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers Wild Card preview: Kick-off time, news, prediction and how to watch on DAZN
The New England Patriots will host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night at Gillette Stadium in the fifth of six mouthwatering Wild Card showdowns on offer this weekend.
The Patriots enter the postseason as the #2 seed, eager to continue their remarkable turnaround under new head coach Mike Vrabel, after winning only 4 games in 2024.
The Chargers, as the #7 seed, are desperately seeking postseason validation after an offensive capitulation against the Texans at the same stage last year.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this can’t-miss AFC Wild Card contest, one of every playoff game streaming live on DAZN for just £19.99.
Who to watch
All eyes are on MVP candidate Drake Maye, whose rise into the NFL's elite tier of quarterbacks has been the defining story of New England’s season.
The 23-year-old has played with the poise of a seasoned veteran, his unshakable and short memory when things break down belying his youth.
But when we consider the Patriots' soft schedule, this will be one of his toughest tests yet, against a capable Chargers defense led by Derwin James and built to limit big plays.
Maye's top targets, as they have been all year, will be talented wideout Stefon Diggs and former Bolts' tight end Hunter Henry, who has thrived since swapping Los Angeles for Foxborough in 2021.
New England will lean on the run to help keep the chains moving. Rhamondre Stevenson provides physicality between the tackles, while TreVeyon Henderson adds speed and explosion on the perimeter.
For Los Angeles, this is Justin Herbert’s moment, a player heavily criticised this time last year after his four interceptions sank the Chargers' playoff hopes vs. Houston.
The Bolts go as far as Herbert takes them. When he’s playing from a clean pocket, few quarterbacks are more dangerous. Unfortunately for him, he lost both of his elite offensive tackles early in the season, and it shows. The 27-year-old has faced a league-leading 263 pressures in 2025.
Herbert will spread the ball to multiple pass-catchers, including veteran and third-down specialist Keenan Allen, young wideouts Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey, and ascending tight end Oronde Gadsden.
The Chargers are eagerly awaiting news on the health of rookie tailback Omarion Hampton, who was held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury.
If the Bolts are to cause an upset here, they need Hampton healthy. He has the power and explosiveness to be a difference-maker in this battle.
Keys to the game
- Herbert under pressure: The Patriots lack elite edge talent, but even the likes of Harold Landry and K'Lavon Chaisson could cause the subpar Bolts OT's issues and make Herbert uncomfortable.
- Patriots' offensive balance: The duo of Stevenson and Henderson can cause problems for the Chargers' front seven, taking the pressure off Maye.
- Mistakes: Maye makes very few. The same can be said for Herbert, but will that hold true in the postseason? What of each team's defense? One turnover or blown assignment could prove decisive.
Kickoff date, time, and location
- Date: Sunday, January 11
- Kick-off time: 1am GMT / 8pm ET / 5pm PT
- Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Prediction
Jim Harbaugh will ensure his side is not overwhelmed by the occasion. The Chargers will have their moments and, if they can find a way to keep Herbert clean, they have the weapons to put up serious points.
But on the road, against a disciplined defense, a free-scoring offense, and a roster mixing youthful exuberance with playoff experience, this looks like a Patriots win.
Patriots 27 - 24 Chargers
How to watch the New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers on DAZN
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