The New England Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Divisional Round of the 2019 NFL Playoffs, and here’s how you watch the game.
Thus far, it has not exactly been a banner year for the New England Patriots. They did just enough to win their division and take home a first-round bye in the playoffs, but they are not the same unstoppable force that we are used to seeing. They finished with a strong 11-5 regular season record, but this is not the kind of Patriots’ team that we are used to seeing.
On paper, this AFC Divisional Round matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers does not set up well for the Patriots. The 12-4 Chargers are clearly the more talented overall team, showcasing an impressive crop of playmakers on both sides of the ball. Philip Rivers is having arguably the best season of his career, with offensive weapons Keenan Allen, Melvin Gordon and Mike Williams consistently making an impact all over the field.
Defensively, the Chargers are led by their incredible pass rush duo of Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. Both Ingram and Bosa are elite-level outside rushers who can create fits for opposing quarterbacks. On top of that, the Chargers’ secondary is loaded with impressive athletes, namely first-team All-Pro selections Desmond King and Derwin James (who is a rookie). Tom Brady may be the GOAT, but the Chargers defense has the pieces to make his life extremely difficult.
The Patriots have talented players who will undoubtedly make their mark in this game as well. That being said, if they are going to win this game, it will likely come down to having Bill Belichick and Brady on their side.
The combination of Brady and Belichick has been tough to beat at any place or time, but especially at home and in the playoffs. Their 19-3 home playoff record with the Patriots speaks for itself. On top of that, Brady is 7-0 in his career against Rivers, including two postseason wins.
This is a wildly unpredictable matchup that you simply cannot miss. Check out how to catch all of the action live in the game details below.
Date: Sunday, Jan. 13
Start time: 1:05 P.M. ET
Location: Foxborough, MA
Stadium: Gillette Stadium
TV Info: CBS
Live Stream: FuboTV (try it for free)
The Chargers undoubtedly have the edge in overall talent. That being said, counting out any team led by Bill Belichick and Tom Brady would be absolutely insane. Buckle in, this game is going to be a wild ride.