Chargers vs. Patriots: What LA must do on defense to win the game

The Chargers are in search of their first playoff win since 2018 on Sunday.

Here's what Los Angeles needs to do on defense to come away with the win.

Start strong

The Chargers have suffered from two slow starts in their last two games, allowing Houston and Denver to score a combined 24 first-quarter points before buckling down and holding them to 15 combined points across the other three quarters. New England is an explosive offense, both on the ground - TreVeyon Henderson has four rushing touchdowns of over 50 yards - and through the air, so LA holding them down from the opening bell will be crucial in dictating their own terms of engagement.

Stand tall in the red zone

While New England has the league's best offense by EPA per play, its efficiency drops precipitously in the red zone, where the Patriots have ranked 17th in EPA per play this season. The run game in particular wilts inside the 20 - New England is ranked 30th in red zone rushing offense, per Sumer Sports. LA has been one of the league's best defenses at preventing touchdowns in the red zone. That will have to continue to force New England to settle and keep the Chargers' offense in the game.

Keep the roof intact

Los Angeles remains the league's best defense against the deep ball and Patriots quarterback Drake Maye's catchable deep ball rate is nearly 30 percentage points lower when attempting them against two high shells like the Chargers', but Jesse Minter's unit has shown a touch of vulnerability in that area recently. Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte has a 97th percentile depth of target this season - his average depth of target is 16.81 yards down the field. If Boutte or Kyle Williams (ADOT of 19.05) gets matched up with cornerback Cam Hart and can stack him vertically, the Chargers may be in trouble.

Generate a turnover (or two)

In all three of New England's losses this season, Maye has thrown an interception and been sacked at least three times. LA's pass rush should be able to hold up that end of the bargain - the Chargers were 10th in the NFL with 45 total sacks and Maye was sacked 47 times, fourth-most in the NFL. But Maye has only thrown 8 interceptions this season and has been excellent at finding safe plays for the Patriots, so forcing a turnover to get the Chargers into an advantageous spot offensively may be a tall order.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers' defensive keys to victory against the Patriots