Did the New England Patriots (5-2) fix their defensive problems? We’ll find out when they host the Los Angeles Chargers (3-4) at Gillette Stadium Sunday.
The game is set for a 1 p.m. EST kick off and will be beamed into your home by the technological prowess of your local CBS affiliate.
The Game: Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots (-7)
O/U: 48.5
The History
The Chargers and Patriots have met up 40 times since 1960. New England holds a 23-15-2 advantage in the all time series.
Of those 40 meetings, three have been in the playoffs. The Patriots are 2-1 against Los Angeles/San Diego in the postseason.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (3-4)
In defiance of Anthony Lynn’s “let’s just have fun” coaching style, the Chargers have won three games in a row and suddenly find themselves relevant again. How seriously can we take those three wins? Well, let’s look at them.
First, you have the New York Giants coached by Ben McAdon’t. At the time they were winless as well and the Chargers won that one 27-22. Up next was a 17-16 victory over the Oakland Raiders where Derek Carr had just come back from back fractures. Then we had last week’s 21-0 win over the swooning Denver Broncos. These were teams that showed up on the schedule at the right time for Los Angeles. Still, in their defense, they did beat them all.
You can never discount a defensive shutout in the NFL. The Chargers held Denver to just 66 yards on the ground, sacked Trevor Siemian five times, got eight stops in the backfield and forced three turnovers. All that’s good.
Here’s the bad, Los Angeles was just 3-for-12 on third downs in the game and 0-for-1 on fourth downs. Philip Rivers had a competent, but not fantastic day, completing 15 of 26 for 183 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. The running game that Lynn wants to marry produced just 80 total yards. Of course, all that was against the Broncos defense.
Offensive lineman Joe Barksdale is doubtful on the injury report, but everyone else should play. This could be a chance for rookie wide receiver Mike Williams to break out against a weak Patriots passing defense.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-2)
Speaking of injury reports, the minute New England took a positive step on defense, they got rocked with some bad news. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower will miss the rest of the year with a shoulder injury. Defensive lineman Malcolm Brown and cornerback Eric Rowe are listed as out for this game too. Danny Amendola, the last of Tom Brady’s possession receievers, is dealing with a knee issue but did practice Thursday and Friday.
Did the Patriots figure out their own defense? Let’s look at the evidence. They sacked Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan once, forced zero turnovers and got four stops in the backfield. The Falcons were just 2-of-9 on third downs in the game and 1-for-3 on fourth downs. All that looks compelling.
Here’s the problem. Steve Sarkisian is calling plays for the ironically hungover Falcons and they’ve been kind of shitty all year. The fact that Atlanta, playing the source of all their sleepless nights in the off-season, couldn’t muster so much as a wet fart is not surprising. The Patriots didn’t fix their defense. They showed up dressed as Pennywise and Atlanta pissed itself.
Offensively, Tom Brady was sharp, finishing 21 of 29 for 249 yards and two touchdowns against a defense he owns. It helped that the Pats got 162 yards on the ground led by Dion Lewis with 76 on 13 carries. Chris Hogan and Brandin Cooks both caught four passes. Hogan had 71 yards and Cooks had 65 yards and a touchdown.
The Pick
I can’t believe I’m about to do this. With the exception of Week One, I’ve picked the Patriots right all season and I’m just feeling this one. Is it possible for Anthony Lynn to lead his team to four straight victories? God help me, I think so. I see another upset in Foxborough coming. Chargers 31, Patriots 27
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 12-3
Against the spread: 7-8
Season
Straight up: 60-46
Against the spread: 50-56
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