Patriots/Chargers: Who are the 3 key players for each team?

Melvin Gordon

Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is perhaps the greatest wild card in Sunday’s game. He’s currently dealing with a knee sprain that leaves his availability and effectiveness in serious jeopardy.

It would be an upset if he didn’t play, but even assuming he does, just how limited will he be? He’s dealt with injuries and soreness in both his knees at various points this season, and while they have yet to really affect his production negatively, his team needs him to be as close to full strength as humanly possible.

With Gordon on the field, opponents must respect the threat of the run as much as they do the pass with Philip Rivers. With Gordon out, defenses can drop more men into coverage – which would favor the Patriots on Sunday enormously. The strength of the New England defense is its secondary, which matches up superbly against the tall and talented Los Angeles receiving corps. Insert Gordon onto the field though, and now Bill Belichick and defensive assistant Brian Flores must devote more resources to stopping the run.

The Patriots also have yet to prove they’ve really figured out their soft rushing defense, which was absolutely gutted in back-to-back losses to the Dolphins and Steelers in Weeks 14 and 15. The unit played better against the run in wins over Buffalo and New York to close the season, but neither one of those opponents has the kind of rushing attack Los Angeles can boast when Gordon is healthy and active.