The New England Patriots are set to face the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card round at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night. The matchup marks the fifth postseason meeting between the two teams, with the Patriots holding a 3-1 advantage in previous playoff encounters.
The Patriots ended their 2025 regular season with a 14-3 record, tying with the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks for the best record in the NFL. This outcome represents a significant turnaround from their 4-13 finish in 2024, equaling historic improvements made by both the 1999 Indianapolis Colts and the 2008 Miami Dolphins.
In their playoff history against each other, New England has won three consecutive games since losing to San Diego in the 1963 AFL Championship Game. These victories include a 24-21 win in San Diego during the AFC Divisional round on January 20, 2007; a 21-12 win at Gillette Stadium in the AFC Championship game on January 20, 2008; and a 41-28 win at home during an AFC Divisional Playoff game on January 13, 2019.
The overall series between these original American Football League franchises dates back to their inaugural seasons in 1960. In regular season play, New England leads with a record of 24-16-2. However, Los Angeles has claimed victory in their last two meetings at Gillette Stadium: a shutout win (6-0) on December 3, 2023 and a decisive victory (40-7) on December 28, 2024.
Since Robert Kraft acquired ownership of the team in 1994, New England has recorded thirty-three playoff wins—the third-most among NFL ownership groups—and played fifty-nine postseason games. This upcoming contest will be their sixtieth postseason appearance.
Head coach Mike Vrabel enters his fourth postseason as head coach and third as division champion after leading New England to an AFC East title this year. Vrabel previously guided Tennessee to three playoff appearances over six seasons.
If victorious against Los Angeles this week, “the Patriots will improve to a 4-1 postseason record against the Chargers.”
Only six players remain from New England’s last playoff roster: Christian Barmore, Hunter Henry (who previously played for Los Angeles), Anfernee Jennings, Mike Onwenu, Rhamondre Stevenson and Jahlani Tavai.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs brings extensive playoff experience with fourteen games played—more than any other Patriot—and is approaching career milestones for receptions and receiving yards in NFL postseason history.
Broadcast coverage will be provided nationally by NBC and Westwood One radio. Locally, fans can tune into NBC10 Boston or listen via The Sports Hub network for live commentary.