Chargers present tough challenge for the Patriots

FOXBORO - Nothing has really come easy to the Patriots during this 2018 NFL season. That theme will continue in the playoffs.

After last weekend’s NFL wildcard round played out, the Patriots were dealt with the worst-case scenario heading into the league’s divisional round. The best-case scenario quickly dissipated as the Houston Texans, and easiest matchup for the Pats, fell to the No. 6 seeded Indianapolis Colts. That left the Pats with two options - the Baltimore [...]

FOXBORO - Nothing has really come easy to the Patriots during this 2018 NFL season. That theme will continue in the playoffs.

After last weekend’s NFL wildcard round played out, the Patriots were dealt with the worst-case scenario heading into the league’s divisional round. The best-case scenario quickly dissipated as the Houston Texans, and easiest matchup for the Pats, fell to the No. 6 seeded Indianapolis Colts. That left the Pats with two options - the Baltimore Ravens or Los Angeles Chargers.

Although the Ravens have a history of giving the Patriots problems and the NFL’s top-ranked defense, their inconsistent offense made for a better matchup than Sunday’s winner and next opponent, the Chargers. This season, Los Angeles (12-4) won more games than the Patriots (11-5). They have more Pro Bowl players (seven to two) and All-Pros (two to one).

For a team that’s been consistently inconsistent, the Patriots will need to right their wrongs and play their best football on Sunday if they don't’ want a rare early exit from the playoffs.

“They tied for the best record in the AFC, won a lot of games this year,” said Patriots safety Duron Harmon. “They were able to win on the road as well. It’s going to be a great challenge for us as a football team.”

Of course, not all is lost. The Patriots have home-field advantage and experience on their side. Philip Rivers although talented has rarely bested the Patriots. He’s 1-5 in the regular season and 0-2 in the playoffs. His only win came in 2008 against quarterback Matt Cassel.

Last season, the Patriots offense was inconsistent in Week 8, but they still came away with a 21-13 win over the Chargers. In that game, on offense, Brady was 14/15 for 153 yards when targeting running backs James White, Rex Burkhead and Dion Lewis.

The defense led the way without Stephon Gilmore, Dont’a Hightower, Malcolm Brown and then No. 3 cornerback Eric Rowe. Still, they limited the Chargers to one offensive touchdown, which happened to be an 87-yard touchdown by Melvin Gordon. (It was actually the longest rushing touchdown given up by a Bill Belichick-led Patriots team.)

A solid defensive effort is needed again this weekend. Gordon, when healthy, is one of the best running backs in the NFL. Their No.1 receiver Keenan Allen is a Pro Bowler and Rivers' No. 2 target, Mike Williams, is a 6-foot-4 target who finished the season with 664 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

Rivers, by the way, had a season comparable to Brady. He threw 46 less passing yards, but had 62 less attempts. He threw for more interceptions (12 to 11), but had more touchdowns (32 to 29) and a better passer rating (105.5 to 97.7).

“The receivers are very good,” Bill Belichick said. “They’re big, they’re fast and they’re strong after the catch, as are the backs… They have great depth at the skill positions, extremely talented. They can run it. They can throw it. They can throw it deep. They can throw it short. They can make explosive runs for 50 yards and they can grind it out with good, tough, hard-nosed runs for tough yardage that they need. It’s a very well-coached, well-balanced, disciplined football team.”

Then there’s the Chargers defense. Their secondary boasts two All Pro players - safety Derwin James and cornerback Desmond King. Their defensive line has two Pro Bowl-type players and two of the better pass rushers in the NFL with Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. It’s not far-fetched to say that this Los Angeles team has more talent on paper.

Of course, nothing on paper matters come playoff football.

The Chargers will have to fly across country - again - and play in the frigid Foxboro weather. That undoubtedly favors the Patriots. The Chargers, however, are 7-0 outside of Los Angeles this season and have East Coast wins now over Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Buffalo.

No, Sunday afternoon’s matchup doesn’t look easy for the Patriots. Yes, they can win and head to the AFC Championship game for the eighth-straight year. We’ve seen magic from Brady and Belichick before.

They’ll need to find some if they want another historic run.