In one of the most anticipated match-ups of this years divisional round, the legendary New England Patriots will take on a last chance effort from veteran QB Philip Rivers. These are some predictions on how the game will go and some of the major story lines.

     The most glaring scar in Philip Rivers career has been that, no matter how much talent the Chargers put around him, he has never been able to win a Superbowl. In order for anyone to take him and his legacy seriously, he must win at least once, and this is his last chance to do it. The talent around him is at their prime with all pro level running back Melvin Gordon and rising super star Mike Williams in at wide out, but Rivers’s own clock is starting to burn out. Usually, with a clouded judgement and just pure hatred for the Patriots and love for the story of Philip Rivers, one would pick the Pats, but there late game teardown against the Ravens really has scared fans. In the span of three minutes, the Ravens scored 14 points and had it not been for rookie QB Lamar Jackson fumbling, fans may never have even gotten to see Rivers get past the wildcard. With a shaky defense and on some days sub par offense, it’s tough to pick the Chargers over Tom Brady.

           This leads to the next story line. The Pats, they have won 5 Super Bowls in the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era and seem to not be stopping anytime soon. Although this is a yearly sentiment and it has to happen eventually, Tom Brady must get old. Even though he hasn’t been himself this regular season, Brady gets in the playoffs and if he stays on the field for more than 20 minutes, the game is pretty much over. The key for the Chargers should be keeping Brady off the field by taking longer drives and taking advantage of a less than stellar defense. Is possible that this talented Chargers team goes on the road and beats the Pats? Maybe. Is it likely? No. Pats 28 Chargers 21.

Source:
https://www.theringer.com/nfl-playoffs/2019/1/9/18174908/philip-rivers-tom-brady-chargers-patriots-divisional-round