The New England Patriots have kept their Super Bowl dreams alive with a win against the Los Angeles Chargers. What's next?

The New England Patriots have a shot to reach the AFC Championship game with a matchup against the Houston Texans who boasts the league's No. 1 defense. With th

The Patriots and Chargers play on Sunday in the wild-card playoff round of the 2025 NFL postseason. It's expected that linebacker Robert Spillane and offensive lineman Jared Wilson will start for the Patriots. Chargers running back Omarion Hampton is questionable to play with an ankle injury.

The victory marked the first postseason win for New England post-Tom Brady and their first since winning Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams to conclude the 2018 season. The Patriots will host the winner of Monday's matchup between the fifth-seeded Houston Texans and the fourth-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round.

The Chargers defense was burned by Patriots quarterback Drake Maye late in the second quarter when he broke loose for a 37-yard scramble to set New England up for another field goal and a halftime lead. Odafe Oweh made a game-changing play midway through the third quarter when he stripped Maye of the ball on a sack in the red zone.

The Patriots were busy on Tuesday, making four practice squad additions while releasing two players ahead of their AFC Division game.

The Patriots and Jets play Sunday in Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season. Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, Harold Landry III, Robert Spillane and Jared Wilson have all been ruled out for the game. DeMario Douglas is listed as questionable to play, while TreVeyon Henderson is expected to suit up.