The New England Patriots finished the 2025 season tied with the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks for the best record in the NFL with a 14-3 record to earn the No. 2 seed in the AFC Playoffs. The 14-3 record is a 10-game difference from the 4-13 finish in 2024. The 10-game improvement tied the 1999 Indianapolis Colts and the 2008 Miami Dolphins for the best turnaround in NFL history. The 1998 Colts were 3-13 and improved to 13-3 in 1999, and the 2007 Dolphins were 1-15 in 2007 and improved to 11-5 in 2008. This week, the Patriots will face the No. 7 seed Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night, the fifth time the two teams will meet in the postseason. The Patriots are 3-1 in the postseason against the Chargers. The Patriots and Chargers met in the 1963 AFL Championship Game played on Jan. 5, 1964, in San Diego with the Chargers taking a 51-10 decision. The Patriots have won the last three postseason meetings with a 24-21 win in San Diego in the AFC Divisional round on Jan. 20, 2007, a 21-12 win in the AFC Championship game played at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 20, 2008 and a 41-28 win in an AFC Divisional Playoff game on Jan. 13, 2019 at Gillette Stadium.
