Los Angeles Chargers visit Tom Brady and the New England Patriots

in #steemsports6 years ago




SteemSports Presenter:@npl77
SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets
The Los Angeles Chargers traveled across the country to face the New England Patriots today in what may be an epic playoff game. Phillip Rivers and Tom Brady will do battle one more time with a shot at the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs on the line. Kickoff is set for 12:05pm Central Standard Time and the game can be seen on National Television on CBS. It will take place at Gillette Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts. The Patriots are 3.5 home favorites and the over/under is 47 points. There is no rain or snow in the weather forecast so it should be a perfect day for football.

Another year, and another trip to the playoffs for Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick. The duo is considered the most successful quarterback/coach combination in the history of the NFL. But both are in the twilight of their career and each year could be their last.
Tom Brady is now 41 years old but hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. He was just recently the league MVP and continues to get his team to the Super Bowl, although they came up short against the Philadelphia Eagles last year. But that loss is blamed more on the Patriots defense than Tom Brady.
Speaking of the Patriots defense, they will have their hands full with Phillip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers offense today. Rivers is 37 years old and this is his best shot at a Super Bowl with his loaded offense. They are 6th in the NFL in points per game and Rivers will try and stretch the defense and throw the ball down field. Melvin Gordon will be a huge threat out of the backfield as well.

When the Patriots have the ball, look for Brady to dink and dunk with Julian Edelman getting a high volume of targets. Chris Hogan will also be a huge part of the passing game with tight end Rob Gronkowski being banged up.
Rookie running back, Sony Michel, will be key to keep the Patriots offense balanced and establish the running game. If the Patriots become a pass only team, the Chargers defense will tee off on Brady and blitz like crazy.
One interesting fact that I have noticed this week is the movement of the point spread. The Patriots were as high a 5 point favorites but it has been bet down to 3.5. That means that there is a ton of public money on Phillip Rivers and Los Angeles Chargers, even though Tom Brady is almost unstoppable at home in the playoffs.
It should be a great match-up today with the two veteran quarterbacks at the top of their game. Thank you for following @steemsports and you can find me @npl77