Patriots and Chargers clash in high-stakes NFL playoff opener at Gillette
The New England Patriots will host the Los Angeles Chargers in the opening round of the NFL playoffs. The game takes place at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, January 11, at 8 p.m. EST, with NBC and Peacock covering the matchup live. Both teams enter the postseason with strong records and two of the league’s top quarterbacks leading their offences.
The Patriots secured their spot as the AFC’s number 2 seed after a dominant 38-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins in their final regular-season game. Their position was confirmed by a tiebreaker with the Denver Broncos, who claimed the top seed and a first-round bye. Meanwhile, the Chargers finished second in the AFC West with an 11-6 record, just behind Denver.
This will be the first crazy games of the season between the two teams, though they last faced off on December 28, 2024, when the Chargers won decisively, 40-7, at Gillette Stadium. The Chargers’ offence is powered by Justin Herbert, who threw for 3,277 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in the regular season—despite undergoing hand surgery in early December. The Patriots counter with rookie quarterback Drake Maye, setting up a high-stakes clash between two elite passers. Fans can watch the game on NBC or stream it via Peacock, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. EST in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
The winner of this matchup will advance to the next round of the AFC playoffs. The Patriots hold home-field advantage, while the Chargers aim to build on their late-season momentum. Both teams have shown strength this year, making this a key showdown in the postseason.
