GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
The AFC playoffs provide three first-time matchups during their Wild Card weekend. The second of those three games will be the Sunday Night primetime game as the Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) head to New England to face the Patriots (14-3).
The Chargers are making their second consecutive trip to the playoffs. Last year, Los Angeles took the road to face Houston, and the Texans earned a 32-12 victory over Jim Harbaugh’s team.
New England made a dramatic turnaround under head coach Mike Vrabel. The Patriots were one win away from earning the AFC’s top seed after finishing last year with a 4-13 record. Can the Patriots continue their momentum in the playoffs? We’ll cover that and provide our top three player props for Sunday’s AFC Wild Card matchup.
With nothing to play for, Los Angeles benched Justin Herbert and multiple starters last week. Despite playing 16 games, Herbert finished with 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 2025.
His matchup this week is daunting. It’s been seven weeks since a quarterback has eclipsed the 200-yard mark against the Patriots. Herbert is more than capable of surpassing the 200-yard total, but the Patriots’ defense is stifling. Bettors should take the under on this AFC Wild Card player prop wager.
Drake Maye is on a short list of potential MVP candidates this season. The New England quarterback completed 72 percent of his passes for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight picks. He also recorded 450 rushing yards on 103 carries and four more scores for the Patriots in 2025.
Mobile quarterbacks have enjoyed success against Los Angeles in 2025. Last week, Denver’s Bo Nix finished with 49 rushing yards in his team’s 19-3 victory. Maye will follow suit this week, finishing with at least 25 rushing yards to cover this prop bet.
Maye’s top target is wide receiver Stefon Diggs. On Friday, Diggs was cleared for the postseason after a judge postponed a hearing about the legal issues he’s facing off the field. With so much uncertainty swirling around the 1,000-yard receiver, New England coaches have likely shifted their focus to getting tight end Hunter Henry more touches.
Henry just finished his best pro season by catching 60 passes for 768 yards and seven touchdowns. Good tight ends have had success against the Chargers in 2025, including three consecutive games in November where players at that position recorded 70-plus yards each outing. That’s why individuals should take Henry to cover his receiving prop total.
The Chargers enter this game with question marks surrounding running back Omarion Hampton due to his ankle. Los Angeles will need a competent running attack to keep New England’s prolific offense on the sidelines.
Without Hampton, this game could get ugly fast. Even with him starting, bettors should look to the recent past to see how big home field advantage is in the Wild Card rounds. Since 2021, the home team has won 19 of 24 opening NFL playoff contests. Take the Patriots to win and cover on Sunday night.