We have another set of playoff games for Sunday. Things start with the Los Angeles Chargers traveling to face the New England Patriots (yes, the Patriots are back in the playoffs again). The game kicks off at 10:05 a.m. PT on CBS, with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo in the booth. Tracy Wolfson will be on the sideline.
Once again, I’m eating some crow. I said, “The Chargers won’t be good this year [direct quote].” Well, they advanced to the AFC divisional last week after beating the Baltimore Ravens. It probably was done just to further grind into me how wrong I was. They not only are advancing, but looked good in their win against the Ravens, who were surprising people late with their retooled offense.
Thanks to the AFC East being inconsistent yet again, the New England Patriots are in the playoffs and coming off their first round bye. Tom Brady gets a year older, but the Patriots just keep going like he was in his second year. Despite their status as a No. 2 seed, all four of the Patriots’ losses have come against teams not in the playoffs. All of them on the road. Well, the Patriots get home field advantage so that will help them out.
New England is a four point favorite, with the largest percentage of public money on LA. It brought the spread down from five to four, and continues to come in. Normally sportsbooks are rooting against New England, but that’s not going to be the case this weekend. The Patriots may be the No. 2 seed, but when they looked off, they have been very off. I think the Chargers will manage a win in the final seconds to keep the Patriots out of the AFC Championship—and the Super Bowl—for the upteenth time.
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts.
When: January 13, 2018 | 10:05 a.m. PT
TV: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz (play by play), Tony Romo (commentary), Tracy Wolfson (sideline)
Radio: Chargers Radio| Patriots Radio
Online Streaming: CBS All Access
Odds: Patriots, -4
Patriots blog: Pats Pulpit
Chargers blog: Bolts from the Blue