Through the years, the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers have develop into fairly acquainted as playoff opponents. Sunday’s wild card assembly will probably be their fifth postseason bout total, and fourth during the last 19 years. Of course, each season is completely different, and 2025 is not any exception: despite the fact that the Patriots and Chargers squared off regularly within the playoffs and as not too long ago as December in 2024 within the common season, they’ve skilled substantial change currently.
So, order to seek out out extra about the Patriots’ wild card opponent, we spoke with Michael Peterson of Pats Pulpit’s sister website Bolts From the Blue, the SB Nation group for all issues Chargers.
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Here is what he instructed us about the upcoming recreation and opponent.
1. How has Justin Herbert developed and overcome offensive line woes this season?
Herbert has been compelled to make use of his legs at a a lot greater clip this season on account of his lack of safety within the pocket. He’s needed to basically play with a psychological velocity so amped up from the gate as a result of in any other case he’s being knocked on his again earlier than he could make it to his second development. Herbert’s all the time been good beneath stress in his profession, however when being “under pressure” is actually the norm, it understandably begins of damage on you.
The Chargers can be nowhere close to 11 wins or the playoffs if Herbert was not their quarterback and I’m so extremely grateful that he’s.
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2. How have the Chargers labored round their litany of accidents? Especially at offensive sort out and cornerback?
Saying the Chargers have “worked around” their accidents at offensive sort out is bizarre to listen to as a result of it’s been a horrendous look ahead to followers each since Joe Alt went down for the season. While most individuals see the 11 wins and the playoff look, those that have been caught watching this non-existent cross safety know very effectively they haven’t been in a position to resolve the issue. Herbert was hit at a historic fee this 12 months and it by no means, ever, lessened on account of continued accidents. The Chargers trotted out over 30 completely different combos with their offensive line. That’s simply unparalleled.
As for cornerback, it was a savvy transfer by normal supervisor Joe Hortiz to stockpile corners in free company and the undrafted free agent pool. Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart have been going to be adequate as starters, however Hortiz went after Donte Jackson (turned out nice) and Benjamin St-Juste (stable depth) to create a greater prime 4. Then, as UDFAs, he discovered Nikko Reed (has performed effectively in spot responsibility) and Eric Rogers (been on IR, the latter of which shined with a two-INT preseason efficiency.
3. What’s behind the Chargers’ prime 10 sack fee? How do they deploy their cross rushers?
After failing to report a sack via the primary 5 video games of the season with the Ravens, Odafe Oweh is now second on the Chargers with eight sacks in 12 video games. His elite athleticism and menace off the sting has made life simpler for the opposite man on the sting, often being Tuli Tuipulotu or Khalil Mack. Especially down the second half of the season, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has actually turned up the warmth so far as his blitz packages and how usually he’s been sending further stress. The Patriots must be prepared for Tuli, Mack, and Oweh to line up everywhere in the defensive entrance, particularly Tuli who Minter likes to line up over guards to set picks for one of many different two.
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4. Which under-the-radar Chargers ought to followers know forward of this weekend’s matchup?
Rookie defensive sort out Jamaree Caldwell might be a participant who helps resolve how this recreation goes. He’s been splashy alongside the inside and the Chargers will want him to have certainly one of his finest video games when it comes to plugging up the center and mitigating the Patriots run recreation. He additionally has proven some chops as a cross rusher with an explosive getoff however that over-aggressiveness may also result in him taking himself out of the play. If he can play effectively alongside Teair Tart, this recreation will really feel much more manageable in the case of containing Rhamondre Stevenson and TreyVeon Hnderson.
5. If the Patriots win on Sunday night time, what occurs? If the Chargers pull off the upset, what occurs?
If the Patriots win, it’s on account of their offense persevering with their robust season in opposition to an elite Chargers protection that had one too many breakdowns in opposition to one of many AFC’s finest. With the protection not taking part in as much as their customary, the offense was compelled to play from behind which is the worst place to be when it’s essential to throw behind their porous cross safety.
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If the Chargers win, it’s as a result of offensive line with the ability to deal with the Patriots cross rush so Justin Herbert may make simply sufficient performs to get them down the sector in scoring vary. The protection additionally would have had one other robust outing with Jesse Minter discovering all the appropriate methods to fluster Drake Maye in his first playoff begin regardless of having the MVP-caliber efficiency throughout the common season.