The New England Patriots will host the Los Angeles Chargers in NFL Week 17 action. The Chargers are in a great position to make the playoffs as a Wild Card team in the AFC, while the Patriots are simply waiting for their season to conclude. Going into this matchup, the Chargers are 5.5-point favorites, while the total for the game has been set at 41.5 points as the Chargers defense figures to factor into that market.
Here, we break down Patriots vs Chargers from Gillette Stadium. You can find my best bet for this contest below. I have used predictive models and my own in-depth knowledge and understanding of pro football betting markets to come up with that bet, in a game that will go a long way in determining who will make the playoffs in the AFC.
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Chargers Closing In On Postseason Berth
The Los Angeles Chargers got a huge win on Thursday Night Football in Week 16, beating the Denver Broncos to improve to 9-6 on the year. A win in Week 17 over the Patriots would put the Chargers into the postseason with one regular season game left to go. With sportsbooks like Fanatics Sportsbook listing the Chargers as a favorite going into this game, the Chargers have to finish the job without assuming that they are going to get a win just by showing up here.
The Chargers defense has struggled over the last few weeks after leading the league in points per game allowed for most of the season. They allowed 40 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a couple of weeks ago, before struggling to get stops in the first half against the Broncos. While a game against Drake Maye and the Patriots could be just what the Chargers defense needs to get back on track, the Chargers’ recent defensive woes will be something to monitor as the postseason approaches.
Patriots Enter On Five-Game Losing Streak
The New England Patriots took a loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 16, squandering an early 14-0 lead and getting outscored 24-7 the rest of the way. The Patriots have lost five games in a row and they are still in contention to finish this season with the worst record in the NFL. Here, the Patriots will look to get back into the win column under head coach Jerod Mayo, who is expected to remain the coach of this team in 2025.
For the Patriots, finding consistent offense is the key to this game and the rest of their season. Drake Maye has thrown an interception in seven consecutive games for the Patriots after he avoided throwing any picks in his first two appearances for the team. When an offense is struggling, extra turnovers certainly don’t help, and Maye’s turnover issues won’t help the Patriots if they persist in this matchup.
Chargers vs Patriots Prediction
Our best bet for Chargers vs Patriots is for the Los Angeles Chargers to win and cover the spread on the road. The Patriots are doing terribly on the offensive side of the ball right now and a date with one of the best defenses in football likely won’t help their cause. Look for the Chargers to reach 10 wins and to celebrate a trip to the postseason with a win in Foxborough.
