Overview
- Kickoff is 8 p.m. ET on NBC with streaming on Peacock, with international access via NFL Game Pass on DAZN and outlets including 7Mate and ESPN in Australia.
- New England finished 14-3 to earn the AFC’s No. 2 seed and will host the No. 7 Chargers, who went 11-6, in Foxborough.
- Betting lines around game day list the Patriots at approximately -3.5, a moneyline near New England -200/Los Angeles +165, and an over/under in the mid-40s.
- Predictions vary, as CBS Sports reports SportsLine’s model built a five-leg Wild Card parlay paying over 25-1, while FantasyPros’ Andrew Erickson favors Under 46.5 with a lean to New England.
- Tactical notes include the Chargers’ strong defense against 10-plus-yard throws versus Maye’s downfield success, plus Patriots run-defense splits that improve when defensive tackle Milton Williams is active.