Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots betting tips and predictions for NFL playoff

The New England Patriots were the most improved team in the NFL this season, going from 4-13 last season to a 13-4 record and second seed in the AFC coming into the playoffs.

A large factor in that has been their young quarterback Drake Maye, who is second favourite to win the regular season MVP after putting up 4,394 passing yards and 31 touchdowns.

Now he faces his first playoff game in the early hours of Monday against the 11-6 Los Angeles Chargers, who will be hoping to win their first postseason game under quarterback Justin Herbert.

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Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots Tips

• Tip 1: New England Patriots -3.5 @ 37/40
• Tip 2: Under 45.5 Total points @ 37/40
• Tip 3: Justin Herbert Over 0.5 Interceptions @ 4/5

Pats can continue upwards curve

The New England Patriots improved hand over fist this season, going 9-1 in their final 10 games of the season to sew up the AFC East title ahead of the Buffalo Bills.

That was an extremely impressive effort and they were good on both sides of the ball, ranking second in points scored with 490 and fourth in fewest points allowed with 320.

While their schedule was not as tough as some other AFC teams, they did beat the Bills, the Baltimore Ravens and the Carolina Panthers. In Drake Maye they have one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the league and Josh McDaniels has this offense purring.

They should be too strong for a Los Angeles Chargers team who were hardly an offensive powerhouse, ranking 20th with 368 points scored.

They went 3-5 against the spread on the road in the regular season and could find themselves simply outscored in this one.

Side with the Pats to overcome the 3.5-point spread and continue to make waves in the AFC.

Cagey affair possible

Both of these teams have excelled on defense this season and in cold conditions in New England, the points total looks a touch high.

The Chargers only allowed 285.2 yards per game this season, ranking in the top five in the league, while the Patriots gave up 18 points per game on average.

With two young quarterbacks duelling it out in a high-pressure situation, expect the defenses to come out on top.

Herbert may struggle under pressure

Justin Herbert will want to banish the memories of his last playoff start in which he threw four interceptions against the Houston Texans.

However he did throw 13 picks again this season and has been struggling with a hand injury as of late.

The Patriots had ten picks in the regular season and could pick up another at home against Herbert in this clash.

All odds correct at time of writing.

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