The New England Patriots were a force in the AFC during the regular season, but they enter the playoffs with plenty to prove.
Drake Maye, potentially the league's MVP in only his second season, will make his playoff debut on Sunday night when the Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers and play for a trip to the divisional round.
Fortunately for Maye, he can lean on some coaches who have been in this position before. Head coach Mike Vrabel went to the playoff three times with the Tennessee Titans, while offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels called plays during long stretches of Patriots dominance with Tom Brady.
While Justin Herbert brings more NFL experience to the table, he is also looking for his first playoff win. Herbert is 0-2 in his playoff career, but he is hoping the combination of a terrific defense and previous playoff mistakes can help him get over the hump in his third appearance.
Here's how to watch Patriots vs. Chargers in the wild-card round.
Where to watch Patriots vs. Chargers
- TV channel: 7Mate, ESPN
- Live stream: NFL Game Pass via DAZN
NFL fans residing in Australia can watch Patriots vs. Chargers on 7Mate and ESPN. Every playoff game is available to stream live on NFL Game Pass via DAZN. See the full fixture list below.
Gridiron fans will be able to stream every game with NFL Game Pass International, including preseason games, the regular season, and the Super Bowl, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, NFL Originals, and more.
What time is the Patriots vs. Chargers game?
- Date: Monday 12 January
- Time: 12 p.m. AEST
Patriots vs. Chargers kicks off on at 12 p.m. AEST on Monday 12 January from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
NFL playoff fixtures 2026
Wild-card round
Sunday 11 January
| Matchup | Time (AEST) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| Panthers vs. Rams | 8:30 a.m. | 7mate, ESPN, NFL Game Pass |
| Bears vs. Packers | 12 p.m. | 7mate, ESPN, NFL Game Pass |
Monday 12 January
| Matchup | Time (AEST) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguars vs. Bills | 5 a.m. | 7mate, ESPN, NFL Game Pass |
| Eagles vs. 49ers | 8:30 a.m. | 7mate, ESPN, NFL Game Pass |
| Patriots vs. Chargers | 12 p.m. | 7mate, ESPN, NFL Game Pass |
Tuesday 13 January
| Matchup | Time (AEST) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| Steelers vs. Texans | 12 p.m. | 7mate, ESPN, NFL Game Pass |