The six-time Super Bowl champion coach predicts the Los Angeles Chargers have a chance to beat the Pats if they can protect QB Justin Herbert.

This will be the fifth playoff matchup between the two teams. The Patriots hold a 3-1 series advantage over the Chargers. They most recently met in the first round of the AFC playoffs in January 2019. The Patriots came away with a 41-28 victory in that matchup.

The NFL season continues in Week 18 when the Denver Broncos host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Start time, how to watch, stream and NFL TV schedule.

The seventh-seeded Chargers’ defensive depth could be a factor against the rejuvenated and second-seeded Patriots and MVP candidate QB Drake Maye.

The Patriots have had success against the Chargers in the playoffs in the past. But Mike Vrabel knows it will be a challenge for his team when it host Los Angeles on Sunday night for the AFC Wild Card game.

Despite its stellar record, Denver is only 6-9-1 against the spread. Los Angeles is 8-7-1 ATS but had four straight covers before losing to the Texans at home in Week 17. The Chargers are 6-9-1 to the Over while the Broncos are 7-9 to the Over.

The AFC playoffs will now run through Denver, as they have secured the No. 1 seed, on the backs of a big defensive performance. Nik Bonitto had two sacks, including a strip sack, and Ja'quan McMillian had the lone touchdown of the day, a pick-six on the game's third drive.

The Seattle Seahawks secured the NFL West title Saturday night and will have a bye in the first round of the NFL playoffs as the NFC's No. 1 seed. In the AFC, the Denver Broncos took care of business Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers and will be that conference's top seed.