If there is a weakness on the Patriots, it figures to be on the defensive side of the ball. There’s not much to pick on with their offense, not with Tom Brady at quarterback and their stable of wide receivers. So while the Chargers have their share of firepower, getting into a shootout with the Pats doesn’t seem like the way to go. Instead, they should try to shorten the game and keep the ball out of Brady’s reliable right hand.



The Chargers defense is stout against the run but has trouble defending the pass when it isn’t getting consistent pressure on the passer. If Matt Light and Nick Kaczur can play as well as they did the last time the teams met and hold off the Chargers‘ pass rushers, Tom Brady will have a big day throwing the football. San Diego’s corners were torched against the Colts, and they will have their hands full with Randy Moss, Donte’ Stallworth, Wes Welker and Benjamin Watson. The Patriots will need to run the ball with Laurence Maroney to stay balanced, but expect them to challenge the Chargers‘ shaky secondary a lot in this game.

In their last meeting, the Patriots jumped out to a 24-point first-half lead and cruised to a 38-14 win over the Chargers in Week 2. Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes, including two to receiver Randy Moss. The defense never let Philip Rivers get comfortable, forcing the Chargers QB into a pair of interceptions while holding running back LaDainian Tomlinson to only 43 rushing yards on 18 attempts.



“Our whole season’s at stake; so’s theirs,” Belichick said. “I don’t think anything that’s happened in the past has much bearing on it.”



“We’re getting ready to play the best team in the National Football League. We need to rally the troops and get everyone as healthy as we can be,” Chargers running back Michael Turner said. “I’ve been saying it since August, we want to be at our best. I hope we haven’t played our best game yet. That’s what we’re trying to get done this week.”