CHARGERS (4-7) at PATRIOTS (2-9)
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
TV/Radio: Ch. 2; 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 5½ points
Notable injury designations
Chargers: OUT: OL Zack Bailey (back), DB Ja’Sir Taylor (illness), TE Nick Vannett (concussion), S JT Woods (illness); QUESTIONABLE: WR Keenan Allen (quadriceps), T Trey Pipkins III (wrist).
Patriots: OUT: WR Kayshon Boutte (shoulder/illness), WR Demario Douglas (concussion); QUESTIONABLE: LB Chris Board (back), OL Trent Brown (ankle/chest), RB Ezekiel Elliott (thigh), OL Riley Reiff (knee), OL Sidy Sow (ankle), DL Deatrich Wise Jr. (shoulder).
What’s at stake? It’s difficult to know which team is more desperate for a victory. The Chargers haven’t lost faith in themselves or their ability to regroup and make a playoff push that seems unlikely after three consecutive defeats. The Patriots could turn to Bailey Zappe to replace Mac Jones as their quarterback in the hope Zappe will ignite a fire in an offense that’s been on low boil all season. Jones has been replaced four times this season because of lackluster play.
Who’s better? The Chargers appear to be the better team despite their surprisingly poor record. After all, the Chargers were expected to contend for a second consecutive playoff berth. The Patriots were expected to be more or less exactly where they are, which is in a prime spot in the 2024 draft order.
Matchup to watch: If the Chargers’ defense plays the way it did during last Sunday night’s 20-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Patriots should be in serious trouble. Neither of the Patriots’ options at quarterback is anywhere near the level of the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson. So, give the Chargers an edge if their defense, ranked last in the league in net yards per game and net passing yards per game, comes to play. The Patriots are ranked 31st with an average of 13.5 points per game.
Chargers win if: See above. Of course, with the Chargers it’s always something, so there’s no guarantee they can win with just their defense clicking as it did, say, during their 27-6 victory over the New York Jets in Week 9. The Chargers will need some dynamic play from quarterback Justin Herbert and the offense if they are to end their three-game losing streak and enliven their stretch run.
Fantasy sleeper(s): Running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Gerald Everett should be two to watch in a must-have game for the Chargers, who must diversify their offense if they hope to defeat the Patriots. Ekeler hasn’t been the weapon he has been in past seasons, when he led the NFL in touchdowns with 18 last season and 20 in the 2021 season. Everett gives Herbert another reliable target beyond his depleted crew of wide receivers that’s nowhere near as dependable as when the season began.
Prediction: Rain and temperatures in the high 40s shouldn’t be a factor for Herbert, an Oregon native who grew up in those conditions at this time of year. The Chargers need above-average showings from their offense and their defense in order to win. Chargers 17, Patriots 10.