Chargers (4-7) at Patriots (2-9)
When: Sunday, 10:00 a.m.
Where: Gillette Stadium
TV/Radio: CBS; 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by -5.5
Notable injury designations:
Chargers: Out: TE Nick Vannett (concussion), S J.T. Woods (illness), CB Ja’Sir Taylor (illness), G/T Zack Bailey (back). Questionable: RT Trey Pipkins (wrist), WR Keenan Allen (quad)
Patriots: OUT: WR Kayshon Butte (shoulder/illness), WR Demario Douglas (concussion). Questionable: LB Chris Board (back), OL Trent Brown (ankle/chest), RB Ezekiel Elliott (thigh), OL Riley Reiff (knee), OL Sidy Sow (ankle), DL Deatrich Wise Jr. (shoulder)
What’s at stake? For the Chargers, their playoff chances dwindle as they keep taking losses, a win on Sunday will keep them alive. For the Patriots, it seems like the end of the Belichick era, which feels inevitable.
Who’s better? Chargers by a mile, but the Patriots obviously have the better coach.
Matchup to watch: Chargers supporting cast vs. Patriots secondary. There needs to be other players that step up not named Keenan Allen. Ekeler, Everett, Johnston all of them need to step up.
Chargers win if: Keenan Allen isn’t the only offensive player putting up numbers. On defense, Khalil Mack needs another multi-sack performance.
Fantasy sleeper: Keenan Allen. Why go with anyone else? Allen is on pace for a career year.
Prediction: Until the Chargers prove otherwise, it is hard to see them putting together a complete game. They have been too inconsistent. It will continue this weekend Patriots 16 Chargers 15.
