Why Gennaro picked the Chargers: Because New England lacks the edge rush to exploit Los Angeles’ fully exposed Achilles’ heel. The Chargers have suffered devastating carnage at offensive tackle this season, inherently subjecting Justin Herbert to weekly beatings and a career-high 54 sacks taken. It’s the thing that keeps me from buying the Bolts as true Super Bowl contenders: Eventually, my thinking goes, they’ll run into some QB hunters who’ll rock Herbert and wreck an elimination game. I still suspect that ultimately will be the case, with prolific pass-rushing teams like Denver and Houston lurking in the AFC field. But in Round 1, L.A. draws New England, which finished the regular season tied for 22nd in sacks. The Patriots’ best edge rusher, Harold Landry III, has missed the past two games due to a nagging knee issue. K’Lavon Chaisson was a revelation in the first half of the season, but this past Sunday’s garbage-time chase-down of Miami’s Quinn Ewers marked his first sack since early November. (Shoutout to the man for triggering that $500K incentive, though!) I’m just not sure this defense — which has been dealing with additional injuries to key figures like LB Robert Spillane — has the horses to terrorize Herbert. On the other hand, the Chargers’ D appears pretty well-equipped to keep a lid on Drake Maye. The second-year pro has been wildly efficient as a deep passer, but Jesse Minter’s unit typically limits downfield gains. All in all, I just don’t love this matchup for the resurgent Pats. Mike Vrabel did a brilliant job in Year 1, turning a 4-13 bottom-feeder into a 14-3 division champ, but I think the magical ride comes to a screeching halt on Sunday night.
