There you have it from the Chargers side. Hard to imagine LA beating the Broncos with Trey Lance at QB.

Still think there’s value in the #Patriots playing for the No. 2 seed. Guarantees two home playoff games and maybe you avoid BUF/HOU in the wild card round. https://t.co/qH2TyKL8nC

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) December 29, 2025

The Los Angeles Chargers will be resting their starters, including quarterback Justin Herbert, for the Week 18 game against the Denver Broncos.

For the New England Patriots to get the No. 1 seed, they needed the Broncos to lose to the Chargers in the regular season finale. That is far less likely to happen with the Chargers playing their backups against Los Angeles’ starters.

Trey Lance will start at quarterback in place of Herbert against a tough Broncos team looking to lock up the No. 1 seed and ensure a first-round bye in the playoffs. With that said, the Patriots are still expected to play for the No. 2 seed, which could keep them from playing against the Buffalo Bills or Houston Texans in the wild-card round.

Not only would they be guaranteed at least two home playoff games, but they would likely face the Chargers in the first round. The Bills are slated to face the New York Jets in the last game of their regular-season slate. It’s hard to envision that game going any other way than a win for Buffalo.

Regardless, the playoff picture is starting to come together with the Chargers’ decision to rest their starters against the Broncos.

Here’s how Patriots Twitter reacted to the news:

Patriots road to the Super Bowl could be hosting the Chargers, the Texans and the Bills. I don’t hate that.

— Steve Perrault (@Steve_Perrault) December 29, 2025

This is bad news for the Patriots on two fronts:

1. Means the Broncos likely win and seal the No. 1 seed.
2. This likely sets up Pats-Chargers in the first round with the Chargers well rested. https://t.co/IgCYBXqZes

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) December 29, 2025

Chargers is the best possible round 1 matchup for the Patriots tbh

— El Capitãn (@DomGonzo12) December 29, 2025

I’m seeing Chargers fans wanting to face the Patriots in round 1.

lol you’re the team we all want.

— Jared Scali (@Jared_Scali) December 30, 2025

If things play out this way it would be good bulletin board material for the #Patriots before a #Chargers game. Coaches already have a built-in rivalry from their college allegiance between Mike Vrabel (Ohio State) and Jim Harbaugh (Michigan). https://t.co/7kAQOXZ2da

— Dan Kelley (@DanKelley66) December 30, 2025

This narrative that the chargers somehow “match up best against the Patriots” makes no sense. The Patriots haven’t been able to get pressure with 4, the chargers are missing multiple OL. They’re also getting Campbell and Williams back this week. No one’s scared of LAC https://t.co/F432ZNkZkE

— KetelMarteEnjoyer (@KetelisKing) December 30, 2025

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