Chargers vs. Patriots Wild Card preview, prediction and how to watch

LA Chargers (11-6) AT New England Patriots (14-3)

When: Sunday 5:00 pm

Where: Gillette Stadium

TV: NBC-4 (Los Angeles), NBC-7 (San Diego), Peacock  

Radio: Los Angeles: KYSR-FM (98.7), LA Spanish: 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (LA Spanish)

Line: Patriots by -3.5

Notable injury designations: 

Chargers: OUT: WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (hamstring), S Kendall Williamson (ankle). Questionable: Austin Deculus (oblique), Bud Dupree (hamstring), Tucker Fisk (ankle), RB Omarion Hampton (ankle), DB Elijah Molden (hamstring), Del'Shawn Phillips (hamstring).

Patriots: OUT: DT Khyiris Tonga (foot). Questionable: OLB Harold Landry (knee), WR Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), OT Thayer Munford Jr. (knee).

What's at stake? For the Chargers, they started training camp early and had long practices. A win on Sunday will show the team that all the work Jim Harbaugh has put them through worked. A playoff win shows them they are on the right path.

For the Patriots, it shows that this 14 win season wasn’t a fluke and they are on back on the winning championships path. It also shows that Drake Maye is on his way to being a top quarterback in the league.

Who's better? Toss up leaning toward Patriots. They are at home and are feeling good coming off a three-game win streak.

Matchup to watch: Chargers front four vs. Patriots O-line: If the Chargers want to win this game they will need to generate pressure on quarterback Drake Maye. They need to disrupt him and force him to make mistakes.

Chargers win if: the offensive line can protect Justin Herbert. That has been the simple answer all season. Herbert has been a machine taking over 120 hits and getting up to do it again. If the offensive line gives him time, he can carve up a defense. Salyer is back and it will make a huge difference. 

Fantasy sleeper: Quentin Johnston. Before sitting out the Broncos game, Johnston was on a heater. Expect that to continue on Sunday night with all of the attention on Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen.

Prediction: The Chargers need a playoff win in the worst way to show that the Harbaugh method is working. Chargers 24 Patriots 19