Overview
- New England enters at 14-3 as the AFC’s No. 2 seed in its first postseason since 2019 under first-year coach Mike Vrabel.
- Rookie quarterback Drake Maye led the NFL with a 113.5 passer rating and a 72% completion rate and now makes his playoff debut.
- ESPN metrics show the Chargers with the league’s worst pass block win rate as Justin Herbert faced the most pressures this season.
- Vrabel described Los Angeles as a big, physical team and lauded Herbert and a defense that ranks fifth overall under coordinator Jesse Minter.
- Herbert seeks his first playoff win after the Chargers rested several starters in Week 18 and lost to Denver.