FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Los Angeles Chargers will face off against the New England Patriots on Saturday, with both teams bringing unique challenges and strategies to this important Week 17 matchup.
On paper, the Chargers enter the game with strong playoff ambitions, needing to win to clinch their spot as they vie for the fifth seed. Currently, they are setting their eyes on the Houston Texans, whom they believe present a more favorable matchup than others. Meanwhile, the Patriots are more concerned with their draft position, sitting with the second overall pick for the upcoming 2025 draft, which they could improve depending on the outcome of their remaining games.
Health has been the primary concern for the Chargers as they head to Gillette Stadium. The team has ruled out three starters due to injury: running back Gus Edwards (knee), who was pivotal during his last outing, offensive lineman Trey Pipkins (hip), and linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin). This again raises doubts about the team's depth at running back, as both backups are also dealing with injuries, potentially leading to significant challenges against New England’s defense.
Notably, J.K. Dobbins, the Chargers' leading rusher, who led the team with 766 yards and eight touchdowns, is making his return from injured reserve and will be key to the Chargers' ground game strategy. "We expect to run the ball heavily, particularly with our best back back on the field and based on how New England has struggled to stop the run this season," Chargers head coach Jerod Mayo commented earlier this week.
On the Patriots' side, the team has made several roster moves leading up to the game, including the activation of rookie offensive tackle Caedan Wallace from injured reserve. Wallace is seeking to regain his footing after missing significant time due to injury and will add depth to the struggling offensive line.
Unfortunately for New England, they will not have cornerback Marcus Jones available due to his placement on injured reserve after suffering from hip issues. His absence creates challenges for the secondary against the Chargers' passing game. Starting center Ben Brown, recovering from a concussion, has also been ruled out, which means former first-round pick Cole Strange will step up to make his first start of the season at the center position.
The Patriots are also eleviating two players from the practice squad; wide receiver Alex Erickson and linebacker Monty Rice were called up for the second straight week, adding needed depth and speed. Erickson, previously with the Chargers, brings experience and versatility, and returns to face his former team.
Both teams will be on high alert as they strategize not just for the current matchup but also for the future—evaluations are underway to ascertain the potential roles of rookies like Wallace and Strange, especially as the Chargers look to secure their playoff position going forward.
The last-minute lineup decisions and injuries will undoubtedly impact game outcomes Saturday. Any shifts on either side could open the opportunity for key players to shine, especially from players being newly activated or who are returning from injury. Time will tell as fans brace for kickoff at 1 p.m. ET, but expectations loom large over this intersection of path and performance as the Patriots look to play spoiler against the Chargers’ playoff ambitions.
With both teams focused on significantly different goals—one on clinching playoff viability and the other eyeing draft positioning—the stakes couldn’t be higher. Expect to see intense competition as the teams meet under the lights of Gillette Stadium; the outcome could set tones not only for the postseason but for offseason strategies and roster evaluations as well.
