With the unveiling of their 2026 opponents, the Los Angeles Chargers will face one of the NFL's 10 toughest schedules next season.

For the first time in more than two decades, the New England Patriots prepare for their first NFL playoff game without Bill Belichick. Under first-year coach Mike Vrabel, who played for the Patriots during Belichick's illustrious reign, New England won the AFC East behind an MVP-caliber showing from quarterback Drake Maye.

There’s something in his competitive fire,” coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier this season, “it motivates him even more.”

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/chargers/onsi as Chargers accused of being NFL playoff 'fool's gold' by NFL execs. In some circles, the Los Angeles Chargers feel like a savvy underdog pick going into the NFL playoffs and their Round 1 showdown with the New England Patriots.

After the Los Angeles Chargers closed out the year with back-to-back losses, it sounds like many aren't giving them a chance in their AFC Wild Card matchup against the New England Patriots.

The New England Patriots will face the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the NFL playoffs Sunday night.

Despite this, mock drafts have already begun to fly. Bleacher Report's recent one has the Bolts selecting another protector for Herbert. At No. 22 overall, Bleacher Report had the Chargers select Alabama's Kadyn Proctor. Proctor played left tackle for the Crimson Tide, but projects better as a guard according to scouting reports.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Chargers announced the signing if wide receiver Luke Grimm to the practice squad. Grimm re-joins the Chargers as a former member of the team’s initial 2025 free agent haul this past offseason. In a corresponding move, the Chargers released tight end Tanner McLachlan.

Will Hill delivers his two upset picks of the week — one for the College Football Playoff and one for the NFL wild-card round.

NBC Sports commentator Devin McCourty shared an early preview of the New England Patriots ' first-round playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The former Patriots safety believes both teams view the game as a favorable matchup.