SNF: New England Patriots @ San Diego Chargers Live Thread

The AFC East leading Patriots at 9 and 3 travel to San Diego this evening to take on the San Diego Chargers. The Patriots who have been on a roll this season following a rough start to the season lost their first game in their last 8 tries to the Green Bay Packers by a score of 26 to 21 last week. While there is no shame in losing to the Green Bay Packers in their home building while being lead by Aaron Rodgers it did take away the one game lead cushion that the Patriots had over the Denver Broncos in the race for home field advantage. The Patriots go in to week 14 of the NFL season tied with the Broncos for home field and with a two game lead in the AFC East over both the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills who both entered the day at 7 and 5.

One edge the Patriots seem to have going in to Qualcomm Stadium is that a Tom Brady led Patriots team has never lost to a Philip Rivers led San Diego Charger team in 5 tries. One thing that might lean in the Chargers favor is that they are a vastly different team vs. the 2011 version of the Chargers that last lost to Brady and his Pats. Another thing that helps the Chargers is the fact that starting QB Philip Rivers is having one of the best seasons of his career and is currently first in the AFC with a 69.1% completion rate. San Diego enters tonight in position to take the first wild card slot in the AFC but also still have a legitimate shot at winning the AFC West since they are currently only one game back of the Denver Broncos who currently hold the lead at 9 and 3.

TV: NBC

TIME: December 7th, 8:30 PM EST

LOCATION: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

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