Chargers vs. Patriots Prediction, Picks & Best Bets Today: Wild Card Weekend

Our Chargers vs. Patriots prediction backs the home favorite to take care of business on Sunday night.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye - who's featured in our Chargers vs. Patriots prediction - reacts to a Patriots touchdown.
Pictured: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye - who's featured in our Chargers vs. Patriots prediction - reacts to a Patriots touchdown. Photo by: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
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Sunday’s playoff slate wraps up at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where I’m locking in my top Chargers vs. Patriots prediction for the AFC Wild Card Round showdown.

I'm backing the favored Patriots to cover in my NFL playoff predictions, along with my top touchdown scorer pick. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, with the Patriots a 3.5-point home betting favorite.


🏈 Chargers vs. Patriots prediction: NFL Wild Card Weekend 

See the latest NFL odds and our experts' NFL picks for every game this postseason.

Predictions Best odds Confidence 
Patriots -3.5 -108 via DraftKings ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Over 45.5 -115 via DraftKings ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hunter Henry anytime touchdown +165 via FanDuel ⭐⭐⭐

💰 Chargers vs. Patriots best bet: Patriots -3.5 (-108) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Follow all of our NFL analysis and betting advice for the 2026 NFL playoffs.

The Patriots have all the pieces to go on a deep playoff run, starting with NFL MVP contender Drake Maye.

The second-year signal-caller topped the NFL in completion rate, yards per attempt, and passer rating, all while piloting one of the league’s most efficient offenses.

Even if he’s not at peak form against a tough Chargers defense, Maye still has the edge in terms of supporting cast and coaching when compared to his counterpart, Justin Herbert.

I'm placing my wager on the Patriots covering the 3.5-point spread at DraftKings, with -108 odds that offer the most value among the best sports betting sites.

Score prediction: Patriots 27, Chargers 23


🙌 Best Chargers vs. Patriots touchdown scorer prediction: Hunter Henry (+165) ⭐⭐⭐

See all of our NFL touchdown props for the 2026 NFL playoffs.

I’m steering clear of the Patriots’ backfield altogether, since it’s unclear how the carries will be divided between TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson in the postseason.

Instead, I’m turning to tight end Hunter Henry, who led New England with seven receiving touchdowns this year and topped all AFC players in red-zone targets.

I expect the former Charger to burn his old team by hitting pay dirt at FanDuel's +165 odds.

Grab a larger payout with Brenden Schaeffer's Chargers vs. Patriots same-game parlay.  


📊 Chargers vs. Patriots odds: NFL Wild Card Weekend

Our live Chargers vs. Patriots odds update in real time.


📈 Chargers vs. Patriots betting trends: NFL Wild Card Round

Chargers Statistic Patriots
11-6 W-L record 14-3
8-8-1 ATS record 11-5-1
6-10-1 O/U record 11-6
5.2 Yards per play 6.2
5.0 Yards allowed per play 5.2
+2 Turnover margin +3
3-2 Last 5 games 4-1

🚑 Chargers vs. Patriots latest injuries


🌤️ Chargers vs. Patriots weather: Sunday, 8 p.m. ET

Follow our NFL weather report for the latest forecasts for every playoff game.

We're expecting cold conditions at Gillette Stadium, with the temperature projected to be around 33 degrees throughout the contest. There's also a 20% chance of snow, with wind gusts up to 19 mph. 


📺 How to watch Chargers vs. Patriots: NFL Wild Card Weekend

  • Date: Sunday, Jan. 11
  • Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
  • Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
  • TV: NBC

🔮 Expert picks for Chargers vs. Patriots


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