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The Chargers head to Gillette Stadium to face the Patriots in a primetime Wild Card showdown on Sunday night. This game features two elite young quarterbacks, a stingy Chargers defense, and a balanced Patriots rushing attack.
Here are three critical matchups that could decide the game:
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Chargers run defense vs. Patriots run game
New England boasts the NFL's sixth-best rushing offense, averaging 128.9 yards per game. Between Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson, New England has had a lot of success running the football, and especially for long carries, as Stevenson and Henderson are averaging 4.6 and 5.1 yards per carry, respectively. The Chargers, who rank eighth in run defense, will need to win up front, stay disciplined in their run fits and make tackles in the open space.
Chargers pass rush/secondary vs. Patriots QB Drake Maye
Jesse Minter's defense has been superb this season, ranking fifth in total defense and pass defense. But they will have to be at their absolute best against Maye, the MVP frontrunner. It all starts up front with the pass rush trio of Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Odafe Oweh, who must consistently win their matchups and disrupt Maye's rhythm in his first playoff start. The Patriots' offensive line surrendered 48 sacks, which was in the bottom 10 in the league during the regular season. On the back end of the defense, look for Minter to disguise his looks to cause confusion. Maye is strongest against zone coverage, ranking first in the NFL in EPA and fourth in passer rating (102.1) when facing zone looks.
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Chargers offensive line vs. Patriots defensive line
The narrative of the Chargers' 2025 season has been the offensive line and how poorly it's performed due to all the injuries up front. To have offensive success, the unit must buy Justin Herbert some time at all costs. And if not, they must utilize his mobility and quick-throw ability to counter the pressure. Fortunately, the Patriots' pass rush isn't all that, as they rank in the bottom half of the NFL in sacks.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers vs. Patriots: 3 matchups to watch in wild-card round
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