This is the first time the Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots will face off in the postseason since 2019, when Philip Rivers and Tom Brady were still leading these respective franchises. Now the Patriots are back in the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 campaign and in head coach Mike Vrabel’s first year, no less. The Chargers went 4-2 in their last six games but enter the postseason on a two-game losing streak.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh has the Chargers in the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, but this time they’re looking to advance past the wild-card round, unlike last postseason. The Chargers haven’t advanced past the wild-card round since the 2018-19 postseason, and it won’t be easy to do against the fourth-best scoring defense in the NFL. Quarterback Justin Herbert is 0-2 in the playoffs and has completed just 52% of his passes. He’ll need a breakout performance for the Chargers to have a chance in New England.
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The Patriots are back in the playoffs for the first time in four years, and they’re viewed as a championship contender for the first time since Tom Brady exited the building following the 2019 season. Vrabel has come in and immediately turned this ship around from a team that won eight games in the previous two seasons combined to 14 in year one of his tenure. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye is an MVP candidate, and the team is ahead of schedule in its rebuild.
Chargers-Patriots start time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Mass.
TV channel, live stream: NBC, Peacock, NFL+
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights, and more as Justin Herbert and the Chargers visit Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in the wild-card round:
Live20 updatesSun, January 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM PST
Ryan Young
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 6:34 PM PST
Ryan Young
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 6:33 PM PST
Ryan Young
The Patriots settled for another field goal there before halftime, so they’ll enter the break up by three.
We’ve got a low scoring battle brewing in Foxborough so far in the final wild-card game of the night.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 6:29 PM PST
Ryan Young
That’s a 37-yard gain from Drake Maye, and the Patriots are suddenly in scoring position here before halftime.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 6:26 PM PST
Ryan Young
The officials marked Justin Herbert short of the first down on a short third-and-one, but a review ended up giving the Chargers the first down anyways to keep their drive alive.
But then, back-to-back sacks doomed them anyways. Williams got to Herbert first, and then Chaisson followed suit.
The Patriots will get the ball back with about 40 seconds left in the half.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 6:12 PM PST
Ryan Young
The Chargers forced a quick stop there, but will now take over at their own 8 yard line after a perfect punt from the Patriots. They’ll get the ball back with 3:23 left in the half.
A score here would be huge, especially considering they’ll get the ball back after halftime, too.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 6:03 PM PST
Ryan Young
The Chargers quickly made it down the field there, thanks in part to an early 20-yard pass to Ladd McConkey, and then opted to take the points this time. A 21-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker has tied the game back up.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 5:51 PM PST
Ryan Young
The Chargers came up with a huge defensive stand of their own there, but the Patriots opted to settle for the points this time. So they’re up 3-0 after an easy 23-yard field goal.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 5:47 PM PST
Ryan Young
We’re still scoreless tonight in Foxborough, but Drake Maye and the Patriots will be at the Chargers’ 11 yard line with a first down when we come back.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 5:44 PM PST
Ryan Young
The Pats tried to set up a trick play on third down, but Efton Chism couldn’t throw it to a wide open Drake Maye on the right side of the field.
But Maye found Kyle Williams on fourth down, so the drive continues.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 5:38 PM PST
Ryan Young
Well, that was a missed opportunity for the Chargers. The Patriots fended off three straight short runs from the Chargers, two of which came from Justin Herbert, and then forced an incompletion there on fourth down.
Despite starting at the 10 yard line, the Chargers failed to get any points on the board. The Patriots survive, and will now take over at their own 2.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 5:34 PM PST
Ryan Young
Drake Maye had a pass tipped at the line, and Daiyan Henley was there waiting to come up with the huge interception.
The Chargers are suddenly at the 10 yard line, poised to take the lead for the first time tonight.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 5:29 PM PST
Ryan Young
The Chargers’ drive just stalled out too, and they took a delay of game penalty to set up a better punt.
Nothing going for either team so far tonight. Drake Maye and the Patriots will come back out.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 5:21 PM PST
Ryan Young
Drake Maye picked up a quick first down, but was then immediately shut down by the Chargers defense. They came up with a huge sack on third down there to force a punt.
So, here comes Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense for the first time tonight.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 5:17 PM PST
Ryan Young
The Patriots have received the opening kick, and this playoff edition of “Sunday Night Football” in Foxborough is officially underway.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 4:45 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
It’s almost time! The Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots are about to kick off live from Gillette Stadium at 8 p.m. ET, airing live on NBC, Peacock and NFL+.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 4:30 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford officially closed out the 2025 regular season as the favorite to win NFL MVP this season, narrowly ahead of second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Stafford’s odds sit at -190 on FanDuel Sportsbook, while Maye sits at +155.
Stafford — a three-time Pro Bowler — managed a career best 46 passing touchdowns in 2025, tossing a 7.7% touchdown rate, to exceed 4,700 passing yards for the fourth time in his career. He also edged out Maye for first-team All-Pro honors.
Maye earned second-team All-Pro honors.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 4:15 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 4:00 PM PST
Criss Partee
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, linebacker Harold Landry, and tackle Thayer Munford are all active for Sunday’s wild card game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Sun, January 11, 2026 at 3:47 PM PST
Kate Magdziuk
With less than 90 minutes remaining until the Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots kick off in the wild card, each team has announced its inactives for gameday.
Here’s a look:
Chargers inactivesPatriots inactives
QB Tommy DeVito (Emergency 3rd QB)