NFL playoff bracket preview: Series, Super Bowl odds, stats -

The fields for the 2025 NFL season have been set, and so will the wild card slate.Here's everything you need to know about the 14 teams vying for the Super Bowl LX title.

The field for the 2025 NFL playoffs was set after the Steelers beat the Ravens in the season-ending classic.The top seeds in each conference – the Broncos in the AFC and the Seahawks in the NFC – will receive first-round byes.The remaining 12 teams will face off during wild card weekend, which begins Saturday and runs through Jan. 12. Two games will be played on Saturday and three on Sunday, with the wild card ending with a "Monday Night" game on ABC.

Which teams seem to be peaking for a deep playoff?Which teams enter the postseason with concerns about how long they can last?And which players could surpass their teams on the march to Super Bowl LX?

Here's what each of the 14 playoff teams needs to do to make it to the Super Bowl on Feb. 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.Our national NFL team reporters have identified each team's strengths and weaknesses, while analyst Seth Walder has identified the must-know stats for each club.Ben Solak then breaks down the Heat's control grade (on a scale of 1-10) for each playoff team.Also with the help of the Football Power Index (FPI) and DraftKings Sportsbook, we will also evaluate the updated odds of the teams to win.

2. Bears vs. 7. Packers

3. Eagle vs.6. 49ers

4. Panteres vs 5. Rams

2. Patriots vs. 7. Chargers

3. Jaguars vs.6. A pair

4. Steelers vs.5. Texans

1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)

Odds to win the Super Bowl: +350

FPI's odds of reaching the Super Bowl: 33.9%

Reason for hope: The defense is championship-caliber.Mike McDonald's unit is allowing the second fewest points in the NFL this season and has held nine of its last 12 opponents to less than 20. The Seahawks are allowing a career-low 3.7 yards per carry and haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 26 recent games of the back-to-back gauntlet.with Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, Kyron Williams (twice) and Christian McCaffrey (also twice).

Reason for concern: Seattle turns the ball over too often.His 28 receptions, including two on defense via interception returns, are second-most in the NFL.Quarterback Sam Darnold leads all players with 20 sacks (14 interceptions, 6 for loss).The Seahawks also tend to get off to a slow start.They've overcome the problems they've faced against lesser teams, but making the playoffs will be tougher.-- Brady Henderson

Stats to know: The Seahawks' run defense has allowed minus-30 first downs this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.That's based on the position and movement of all 22 players at the time of the handoff and illustrates the stifling nature of Seattle's run defense.To put that number in context: The next best team in the category is Houston, at minus-15.-- Walder

Boil test result: 9. The win over a division rival en route to securing the No. 1 seed was a set win, especially given the narrative surrounding Darnold's performance in clutch games.It's a wide open NFC playground, but it goes through Seattle.-- Solak

Preview: The Seahawks will host the lowest remaining seed in the group stage on January 17th or January 18th.That could be No. 4 Panthers, No. 5 Rams, No. 6 49ers or No. 7 Packers.Seattle broke the season series with the Rams and 49ers. Beat the Panthers 27-10 in Week 17 and did not play for the Packers this season.

2. Chicago Bears (11-6)

Odds to win the Super Bowl: 22-1

Chance of making FPI Super Bowl: 7.7%

Wild card round: The Bears will host the Packers for the seventh time on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, Prime Video).

Reason for hope: Led by quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears' offense has proven it can't compete with anyone.Chicago's Week 17 shootout loss against San Francisco showed that this high-powered offense can continue into January.Chicago's six wins after trailing in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter are the most by any team in a season since 1970 combined.AFT-NFL.The Bears are well-positioned to get a win when the stakes are high and the offense is playing its best all season heading into the playoffs.

The basis of anxiety: the other for the defense of the bench is given to the last 8th grade in the faster downtime.The playing the ball at the end of the one is a problem .-- Courtney Cilin

Stats to know: Entering Week 18, the Bears rank first in pass block success rate (74.1%).That type of pass protection has been a huge advantage for Williams and allowed the Bears to post the longest average throw time (3.31 seconds) in the NFL.It's also one of the reasons Williams has improved his sack rate so much (3.9% entering Week 18, fourth best) this season, although a lot of credit must go to Williams, considering how much quarterbacks control their sack rates.-- Walder

Heat Check Rating: 7. Chicago is healthier on defense than it has been for most of the season, and while the Bears have lost two games to NFC playoff teams, their impressive late-game wins keep hope alive until the clock hits triple zero.-- Solak

First-Game Outlook: Chicago and Green Bay split their two-season meeting with the Bears' 22-16 overtime victory in Week 16, giving them the cushion they need for the NFC North title.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)

Odds of winning the Super Bowl: +950

FPI's chance of making the Super Bowl: 14.2%

Wild Card Round: The Eagles host the sixth-seeded 49ers on Sunday (4:30 p.m., Fox).

Reasons for Hope: Powerful defense.Vic Fangio's team will be in full swing in 2024 when the Eagles go to the Super Bowl with the NFL's No. 1 cornerback.YPG) despite facing many top teams including Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.

Reason for concern: Inconsistency offense.The offensive line rebounded, and the play calling was sloppy — two contributing factors in the decline of the once-differential running game led by Saquon Barkley.The lack of success on the field created tougher sledding for quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had bright moments but also suffered from unproductive play.The output does not match the talent for much of the time.-- Tim McManus

Things to know: Entering Week 18, the Eagles rank 21st in the EPA in passing percentage on second downs allowed.Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper Dejean are a testament to how good their secondary is.Mitchell allowed 0.7 yards per coverage snap entering Week 18;Seventh best among outside corners with at least 300 coverage snaps and allowed a minus-13 EPA when targeted, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.-- Walder

Heat check rating: 4. The last time we saw Hurts and the starters, the offense couldn't complete a pass in the second half in an almost catastrophic collapse against the Bills.The defense is good, but is it enough to carry these offensive valleys until January?-- Solak

First game outlook: The Eagles and 49ers haven't met since Week 13 of the 2023 season, San Francisco's 42-19 victory over Philadelphia that helped send the teams in opposite directions that season--

4. Carolina Panthers (8-9)

Odds to win the Super Bowl: 150-1

FPI Super Bowl Odds: 2.0%

Wild Card Round: The Panthers host the Rams on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, Fox).

Reason for hope: QB Bryce Young.Despite his inconsistencies, the youngster showed enough to keep the Panthers in games even when he wasn't playing his best.Yes, he has good offensive talent around him and the defense has played a better role.But when Young plays well and doesn't commit turnovers, Carolina can play with anyone, as shown in wins against the Rams and Packers.

Reasons for concern: Common contraindications.Carolina has won every week since mid-October, except for a back-to-back in Weeks 17-18.But inconsistencies from the team, especially the youth, must be addressed entering the playoffs.Young had a career-low 54 passing yards in Week 17 and a franchise-record 448 yards in October.January against Atlanta.He followed the Atlanta game with a season low 13.7 total QBR against the 49ers.It's an up-and-down cycle that won't get you far in the playoffs.- David Newton

Worth knowing: The Panthers' passer rating is minus 8% above expectations, which is the second-lowest in the NFL.Their extreme rushing tendency made sense early in the season, as they were much more effective on the ground when the passing attack was struggling.However, the passing game has been much better since Week 11, although Carolina has maintained a high passing rate relative to expectations.The question for the future: Which youngster will emerge and will the Panthers want to rely on him more?-Walder

Heat Audit Score: 3. It's never a good feeling to be back in the playoffs -- but with this being the Panthers' first division title since 2015, one can only be sad about the situation.The Panthers will play the "nobody believes in us" card and face a Rams team they beat in Charlotte before.-- Solak

First-game outlook: Carolina upset the Rams 31-28 when the teams played in Week 13 and is 1-0 against them in the playoffs, defeating the then-St. Louis Rams in double overtime in the 2003 NFC Divisional Round.--

5. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)

Odds of winning the Super Bowl: +425

FPI's chance of making the Super Bowl: 23.2%

The Wild Cash Card: Rams play up the fourth panties at Month (4:30 p.m. e e et, fox).

Reason for hope: Quarterback Matthew Stafford has played at an MVP level for most of the season.The Rams offense has been more consistent under Stafford this season.Los Angeles has scored at least 30 points in 10 games.Stafford has 4,707 passing yards and an NFL-leading 46 touchdowns and looks poised to lead the Rams deep into the playoffs.

Reason to worry: special teams.The unit has been a part of three of the Rams' five losses, including a loss to the Seahawks in Week 16 that ultimately knocked Los Angeles out of the NFC West.Mistakes in that loss led Sean McVay to fire special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn.After making the move, McVay said he did it because of his belief in the team and "where I think we can lead."The Rams are certainly capable of winning a Super Bowl, but special teams may be their weakest link.-- Sarah Barshop

Stats you need to know: Entering Week 18, the Rams ranked in the top three in play-action rate (35%), run design (12%), time in motion (48%) and maximum defense (14%).All of these are valuable in helping McVay either in pass protection or overall pass efficiency, or both.Stafford and wide receiver Puka Nakua certainly had tremendous seasons.But this schematic Instrument also contributes to the success of Aries.-- Walder

Heat test rating: 5. The Rams have gone 2-3 in their last five meaningful games, and the defense has shown more deficiencies in December than it has in the past.Perhaps the return of wide receiver Davante Adams and nickel Quentin Lake will get the team back on track to dominance ... but there are valid concerns about Los Angeles entering the Rams' path to the Super Bowl.- Solak

Game 1: Los Angeles looks for its first road win since losing to the Buccaneers in the 2021 NFC Championship Game in Super Bowl LVI.--

6. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)

Odds to win the Super Bowl: 28-1

FPI should make a Super Bowl: 8.8%

Round of Amens: The 49ers play at the Eagles on Sunday in the third round of the series (4:30 p.m. ET, Fox).

Reason for hope: No offense plays better than the 49ers offense.Since quarterback Brock Purdy returned from a right toe injury in Week 11, San Francisco is averaging 30.0 points per game (fourth in the NFL), with Purdy playing some of the best football of his career.The Niners have major injury questions, including George Kittle's sprained ankle and left tackle Trent Williams missing Saturday's game with a hamstring injury.Kittle played in Week 18, but if Williams can bounce back in the playoffs, this team can keep up with anyone with Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey leading the way.

Reason for concern: Because as well as the offense is playing, the defense is struggling just as much.Among defenses from PostSeason teams, the 49ers are one of the three worst in points allowed per game.game (25.5), projected defense points (minus-26.7), yards perthe game allowed (6.0) and teacawe shops (two) have played niners.NFL this season and has shown no signs of improvement in that category.The road to playoff success will be to pressure the offense hard and score a lot of points while the defense comes up with timely stops and a takeaway or two.- Nick Wagoner

Stats to Know: Purdy has a QBR of 73.6, which would rank him second if he had played enough to qualify.Purdy, who has played in just nine games, is obviously not in the discussion for postseason awards.But he and the San Francisco offense were red hot when he was on the field.Surprisingly, Purdy committed a high turnover rate (3.7%).However, he didn't take a sack (3.5% sack rate) and was surprisingly accurate (better than expected).He has a 5.1% completion percentage, second-best among QBs with at least 100 pass attempts), which makes up for the losses.-- Walder

Heat control rating: 6. While the offense's lack of success against the Seahawks is surprising, the 49ers should feel good about their ability — and hey, holding Seattle's offense to 13 points is a good sign for the defense.The vibes must still be generally positive, even after the loss.- Solak

First-game outlook: San Francisco has split two previous playoff games with the Eagles, most recently a 31-7 loss to Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game for the 2022 season.--

7. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1)

Odds to win the Super Bowl: 22-1

FPI's chance to reach the Super Bowl: 10.1%

Wild-card round: The Packers will play the Bears on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, Prime Video).

Reason for hope: The Packers have got quarterback play at an elite level — Malik Willis could be one of the BIRD — if not the best — backup quarterbacks in the game from Jordan Love.

Concerns: Green Bay seems to find unique ways to lose games — or nearly lose them.The Packers failed to recover an onside kick against Chicago in Week 16, allowing the Bears to go to overtime and eventually win.The run defense collapsed the following week against the Ravens, allowing 307 yards (216 of them to Derrick Henry).He also suffered a near disaster late in overtime in Week 4 against the Cowboys when Green Bay nearly ran out of time before kicking a game-saving field goal.-- Rob Demovsky

Stats: The Packers entered Sunday ranked second in the EPA for sacks.And similarly, Love ranks second in QBR.The effectiveness of the Packers' offense has all but disappeared under scrutiny -- in part because Green Bay is a team that tries to run.So while the Packers' Super Bowl hopes have certainly been diminished by Micah Parsons' season-ending injury, they are among the best in the most important aspect of football: the passing attack.-- Walder

Heat Check Rating: 2. The Packers lost their final three regular-season games, will be without Parsons for the playoffs, and the fan base is more worried about Love's contract than Willis' quality secondary.bad vibes.-- Solak

First game outlook: The Packers shut out the Bears this season.Green Bay beat Chicago in Week 14 for the Packers' final regular-season win.These teams have not met in the playoffs since the Packers beat the Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field in the 2010 season.--

1. Denver Broncos (14-3)

Odds to win the Super Bowl: +650

FPI chance to reach the Super Bowl: 30.6%

Reason for hope: Playoff-eligible defense.The Broncos' defense has shown it can make quarterbacks' lives miserable (franchise-record 68 sacks), and it should improve in the postseason.Denver can generate pressure against any defensive look and has a deep secondary led by Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II.The Broncos need Sartain anywhere in the league.Can face a No. 1 receiver and have confidence that he can win the game.

Cause for concern: Occasional slow speed offense.The Broncos have shown they can win tight games by chewing the clock with long drives.And quarterback Bo Nix has shown he's comfortable in late-game situations when the Broncos need to make plays.Saved by Defense - Jeff Legold

Stat you should know: Entering Week 18, the Broncos ranked in the top eight in all four win rate metrics: pass block win rate, run block win rate, pass rush win rate and run stop win rate.That shows Denver's effectiveness in the trenches on both sides of the ball.Nik Bonitto was the standout pass rusher, with a 22.9% pass win rate entering Week 18 (third best) along with 14 sacks.On the offensive line, Garett Bolles (11th in pass-block win rate entering Week 18) and Quinn Meinerz (8th in pass-rush win rate entering Week 18) lead the way.-- Walder

Hit Check Rating: 9.Denver has won 13 of its last 14 games, is relatively healthy on both sides of the ball and has home-field advantage against a typically weak FC playoff field.The Broncos are poised to make a run- Solak

First Game Prediction: The Broncos will face the lowest seed in the AFC (No. 4 Steelers, No. 5 Texans, No. 6 Bills or No. 7 Chargers) in the Divisional Round on Jan. 17 or Jan. 18. The Broncos split the season series with the Chargers, beat the Texans in Week 9, and did not play the Steelers or Bills in the regular season.--

2. New England Patriots (14-3)

Odds of winning the Super Bowl: +950

FPI's chances of reaching the Super Bowl: 15.0%

Wild-card round: The Patriots host the seventh-seeded Chargers on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, NBC).

Reason for hope: Drake Maye is playing at an MVP level.The second-year quarterback led the NFL in completion percentage (72.0%) with 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.K'Lavon Chaisson said: "He's very calm and everything is like slow motion. We literally asked him, 'Do you feel fluid when you're out there?'

Reason for concern: running defense.The Patriots are on a run.Consider that from Weeks 10 to 18, opponents averaged 4.7 yards per carry and 131.25 rushing yards per game, with eight TDs down the stretch.New England led the league in rushing defense in Week 9, giving up 75.7 rushing yards per game for 3.6 yards per game (other NFL).-- Mike Reiss

Stat to know: Milton Williams' pass defense rate in Week 18 was 13.7 percent, which would rank fifth if Williams plays well enough to advance.The Patriots lost Williams after Week 11 but continued to play until he returned Sunday to win the AFC East.Now that Williams is back, the defense needs to improve when it matters most.--Wold

Heat Check Rating: 8. After a 2-2 start, the Patriots went 12-1, losing only to the Bills in a Week 15 game they could easily have won.But winning an easy schedule and climbing the playoff standings are two different challenges.-- Solak

Game 1 Preview: New England has not faced the Chargers in the regular season, with the last meeting being a 40-7 Chargers victory over New England in Week 17 of the 2024 season.--

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)

Odds to win the Super Bowl: 13-1

FPI's chance to make the Super Bowl: 13.0%

Wild-card round: The Jaguars host the No. 6 seed on Sunday (1 p.m. CBS).

Reason for hope: Trevor Lawrence and the offense are rolling.The quarterback has been inconsistent and turned the ball over 16 times in the first 11 games but has played some of the best — and most consistent — football of his career since then.The addition of wide receiver Jacoby Meyers at the trade deadline gives Lawrence a reliable receiver who can work in the middle of the field. Coach Liam Coen has found a better way to use Brian Thomas Jr. after an early struggle.All of this led Jacksonville to set the franchise record for single-season points.

Basis of worry: Rushing Jaguari is third king with 222 qb (Allen Rules (Allen Rules) Walker gets a knee and Armsaded is thrown into a hand chorus of Capy Capy Capy Capitrimes and Rumors, but it's enough to keep a pint deep

Stats you need to know: The Jaguars are averaging 5.2 expected completions in the air per attempt, fourth best in the NFL.It's a bit confusing, but this stat multiplies the yardage in the air on each pass attempt by the expected completion probability from NFL Next Gen Stats.It's basically a metric that rewards strong pass design along with good quarterback decision-making.-- Waldere

Hit Check Rating: 9. The Jaguars won their last eight games, saw a lot of improvement from Lawrence in the second half of the season, and became the only team to beat the Broncos after Week 3.

First Game Preview: Jacksonville did not play Buffalo in the regular season, but the Jaguars went up 2-0 in the playoffs against the Bills, who eliminated Buffalo in the 2017 FC Wild Card Round.

Trevor Lawrence explains how first-year head coach Liam Cohen built the Jaguars into a proper Super Bowl contender.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)

Odds to win the Super Bowl: 45-1

Ods Super Bowl FPI: 8.1%

Wild Card Round: The Steelers host the No. 5 Texans on January 12 (20:15 AND, / ABC).

Reason for hope: Improve the defense quickly.Although the Steelers started, the unit has improved significantly at the end of the season.Pittsburgh has given up an average of 73.3 rushing yards per game over the past four weeks, including matchups with Miami's De'Von Achane, Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs and Baltimore's Derrick Henry.

Reasons for concern: Inconsistency of offensive.The return of receiver DK Metcalf should help, but the Steelers have been Jekyll and Hyde throughout the season.The Steelers have lost just once to the Buffalo and LA Chargers, and Pittsburgh could not find the finish line in Week 17 against Cleveland.Yes .-- Brooke Pryor

Stats to know: Entering Week 18, the Steelers averaged 2.74 seconds punt-to-punt, fastest in the NFL.Couple that number with a league-low 5.7 yards per attempt and it's a telling descriptor of a Steelers offense that relies on throwing to defenders, screens and YAC (65% of YAC passes in the NFL enter Week 18 above).-- Walder

Heat Check Rating: 7. The Steelers cruised into the postseason with a comprehensive, physical win over the Ravens.The vibes are good as Metcalf returns from suspension and has enough star power to potentially win the offense.-- Solak

First impression of the first game: The Sidelers did not play the Texans in the Playoffs but it was 5-6 for the Tealers to win the West 4-23.--

5. Houston Texans (12-5)

Odds of winning the Super Bowl: 13-1

FPI's chance of reaching the Super Bowl: 11.6%

Wild card round: The Texans will play the No. 4 seed Steelers on Monday, Jan. 12 (8:15 p.m. ET, /ABC).

Reasons to hope: Dominant defense.The Texans are second in the NFL in scoring defense (17.4 points allowed per game), which was enough to carry them to victory and help them overcome an 0-3 start.They shut down Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Daniel Jones.There's no reason to think this can't continue.

Reason for concern: While the defense has been strong, the offense has been pretty inconsistent.Houston averages 21.9 offensive points per game, which ranks in the middle of the NFL (15th).The Texans have had moments where the offense will go long stretches without scoring, which puts pressure on the defense to be perfect.-- DJ Bien-Aime

What you need to know: Entering Week 18, the Texans are tied for first in scoring defense with 77 points. That means Houston's defensive backs have done an excellent job of preventing opponents from getting open, catching and producing YAC in line with expectations.This is the testimony of Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, along with nickel Jalen Pitre.--Walder

Heatcheck rating: 10. The Texans are riding a nine-game winning streak into the season after getting off to an 0-3 start, beating several playoff teams.They feel like a giant killer.-- Solak

First game preview: Houston has never faced Pittsburgh in the playoffs and hasn't played the Steelers since February 4 of the 2023 season.--

A failed Colts fumble turns into a game-winning play as the Texans win 38-30.

6. Buffalo Bills (12-5)

Odds to win the Super Bowl: 10-1

FPI's Odds of Making the Super Bowl: 12.5%

Wild-card round: The Bills play the 3-seed Jaguars on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS).

Reason for hope: Josh Allen.If the quarterback is on the field, the Bills have a chance every game.The defense continues to play at its recent high level as it will continue to provide Allen with maximum scoring opportunities, but he plays the biggest role in Buffalo's quest to win the Super Bowl.

Cause for concern: The Bills failed to win a road playoff game under Sean McDermott (0-5).The offense has issues — especially at wideout — and the defense tends to slow starters, but the Bills will need to get to the Super Bowl by winning on the road.Failing to win the AFC East title at Highmark Stadium last season is a huge blow, so the Bills will need to do something they haven't done since the 1992 season: win road games.Alaina Getzenberg

Things you should know: Bills is third in passing block wins and first in block wins.In addition to Allen, Buffalo's offense makes up for missing players and has the potential to be one of the league's most efficient teams (0.12 EPA average per game, fourth best in the NFL, entering Week 18).And that's why.Senior running back James Cook III's 3.1 yards per touchdown, fourth most among running backs.-- Walder

Heat Check Rating: 4. The offense hasn't been perfect over the past few months, and the Bills' reliance on second-half expansion showed in the loss to the Eagles.It's the weakest position in the AFC without Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, but it's also the weakest Bills team we've seen in a while.-- Solak

First-game outlook: The Bills haven't won a road playoff game since beating Miami in the AFC Championship Game in January 1993.Buffalo has not faced Jacksonville this season, but the last game between the teams was a 47-10 win in Week 3 of the 2024 season.

7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)

Super bowl odds: 28-1

FPI Chance to Reach Super Bowl: 9.1%

Wildcard round: The Chargers play the second-seeded Patriots on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, NBC).

Reason for Hope: Justin Herbert.The Chargers' routine this season has been simple: They rely on an elite defense and some magical plays from their quarterback every game.Playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league, Herbert played with the defenders covering him and rushed for 498 yards to keep the team on top.lead in the playoffs — all while nursing a broken left arm.

Reason for concern: Offensive line.The Chargers have used 29 different offensive line combinations, third most in the league.They rank last in pass block success rate and second in run block success rate entering Week 18.Los Angeles' offensive line is its most glaring problem and could be the reason the Chargers leave the postseason early again this season.-- Chris Rim

Status to Know: Entering Week 18, Herbert ranked third in the EPA in scrambles designed or QB runs made (32.8).That's Herbert's career-best number, and it's needed because of the specific weakness in pass protection in front of him.Entering Week 18, the Chargers ranked last in pass block win percentage (54.4%), so that's a testament to the QB.That the Chargers have created enough offense to enter the postseason.- Walder

Heatcheck Rating: 5. The Chargers should feel good about overcoming injuries to their line, but should they feel good about dragging this roster full of defensive quality into the AFC postseason?With Herbert's chivalry, you can only feel bad, I think.-- Solock

A view from the first game.The Chargers and Patriots did not face off during the regular season.This will be their fifth postseason meeting, with the Patriots winning the last three games to take a 3-1 lead.Their last playoff meeting was in the 2018 AFC Divisional Round, with the Patriots winning 41-28.