The New England Patriots will face off against the Chargers on Sunday night after they clinched the AFC's No. 2 seed. The Chargers finished the season 11-5 with Justin Herbert under center, opting to rest him in the final game of the season against the Broncos.
The Herbert-led squad wasn't all that impressive this year offensively, averaging just 22.8 PPG. The offensive line allowed the second-most sacks in the league, as they were not aided by the preseason injury to Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt playing just six games.
Free agent signing Mekhi Becton is PFF's third-worst guard in the league, while center Bradley Bozeman is the league's worst according to the site.
The Chargers have been better over the past few weeks, no doubt. In Herbert's last five games, they've averaged 27, an improvement from 20.8 in their previous 11 games. Nonetheless, the injuries have piled up in L.A., and the Patriots have a major advantage in the trenches.
Milton Williams and Christian Barmore are set to feast against the Chargers
The development of New England's defensive line has been remarkable, with contributors emerging from unexpected sources.
No duo has been more impressive this season than New England's stars, however, as both Christian Barmore and Milton Williams rank in the top three in pressure rate (min. 150 snaps).
Highest pressure rate among DT this season, per @NextGenStats:
— NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) January 6, 2026
1. Jeffery Simmons - 13.9%
2. Christian Barmore - 13.6%
3. Milton Williams - 12.4%@Patriots | #NEPats pic.twitter.com/av3t1n7VZa
The 26-year-olds were recently rewarded with massive contracts, each exceeding $90 million in total value. While the team's modest investments on the edge have paid modest dividends, their investments in the interior have been tremendous.
The Chargers' interior has struggled tremendously this season, so both Williams and Barmore shouldn't have much of an issue pressuring Herbert, as they have all season.
The depth of the defensive tackle position has been excellent, too. New England has four players on the interior who rank in the top-27 in pass rush win rate (min. 20% of snaps). Barmore ranks 12th, and Williams ranks 25th.
Nose tackle Khyiris Tonga has been impressive with his ability to collapse the pocket, too, but Cory Durden is among the best in the league. The former Ram and Giant ranks second in the NFL in PRWR at 18.1%.
The #Patriots have 4 DTs in the top-27 of the position in pass rush win rate (min. 20% snaps):
— Graham Wilker (@GrahamWilker1) January 7, 2026
2. Cory Durden (18.1%)
12. Christian Barmore (13.4%)
25. Milton Williams (12.1%)
27. Khyiris Tonga (12%)
OG Mekhi Becton is 3rd in pressures allowed & the Chargers are 31st in sacks.
The Chargers' struggles across the offensive line are likely to continue on Sunday. Their line is already thin, but work in that both Jamaree Salyer and Austin Deculus were listed on Wednesday's injury report, and Sunday's future looks even gloomier for L.A.
The Chargers have dropped back 32.8 times per game with Herbert starting this season, which would put them on par with Tampa Bay and Cleveland for the 15th most in the league. New England played both of these teams and allowed 23 and 13 points, respectively.
While the Chargers are a far better team than both of these squads, their similar pass attempts per game could signal a similar game plan for New England.
The Patriots will have the chance to get after Herbert, and their two highest-paid defensive players, Williams and Barmore, will be expected to do just that against a weak defensive line.