Hey Patriots Nation—Henry Thompson here, your 10-year New England football pulse-taker from Foxborough to the frozen Northeast. January 19, 2026, and the question on every fan’s mind is simple: What time do the Patriots play today? The answer is tonight – the New England Patriots face the Los Angeles Chargers in a high-stakes AFC Wild Card matchup at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:15 PM ET (5:15 PM PT), televised nationally on NBC with Peacock streaming options.
This is the first playoff game for New England since the 2021 season, and the first under new head coach Jerod Mayo. The Patriots (11-6) earned the No. 6 seed after a dramatic Week 18 win over the Jets, while the Chargers (10-7) clinched the No. 5 seed with a victory over the Raiders. Here’s everything you need to know about today’s game.
Game Details – Patriots vs. Chargers (AFC Wild Card)
- Date: Sunday, January 19, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 8:15 PM ET / 5:15 PM PT
- Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- TV Channel: NBC (national broadcast)
- Streaming: Peacock, NFL+, FuboTV (free trial available)
- Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub (Boston), SiriusXM NFL Radio
- Weather: Dome – perfect conditions, no wind or rain factor
How to Watch & Listen Today
- National TV: NBC – Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), Melissa Stark (sideline)
- Streaming: Peacock (subscription required), NFL+ Premium
- Local Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub – Bob Socci, Scott Zolak, and Marc Bertrand
- International: NFL Game Pass (select markets)
Key Matchups to Watch Tonight
- Patriots QB Drake Maye vs. Chargers Pass Rush Maye has been electric in his rookie season (3,800+ passing yards, 28 TDs), but the Chargers’ Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack will test the rookie’s pocket presence. New England’s revamped O-line (added Trent Brown & Mike Onwenu) must hold up.
- Chargers QB Justin Herbert vs. Patriots Secondary Herbert is healthy and dangerous (4,200+ yards projected), but New England’s secondary (Christian Gonzalez, Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers) is one of the league’s best against the pass. Can they slow down Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston?
- Run Game Battle Rhamondre Stevenson (1,400+ rushing yards) vs. Chargers run defense. Los Angeles struggled to stop the run late in the season – New England will lean on Stevenson and rookie RB Kendre Miller early.
Betting Odds & Predictions (as of Jan 19, 2026)
- Spread: Chargers -4.5
- Moneyline: Chargers -210, Patriots +175
- Over/Under: 44.5 points
- Expert Picks: ESPN – 68% pick Chargers; CBS Sports – 55% Chargers; FanDuel – 52% Chargers
Most analysts lean Chargers due to home-field advantage and Herbert’s experience, but Patriots fans point to New England’s 7-2 road record and playoff grit under Mayo.
Final Thoughts – Patriots Playoff Fire Is Lit!
The Patriots haven’t played a meaningful January game in years, but tonight they step into the spotlight. A win would send them to face the top-seeded Chiefs in Kansas City next weekend. A loss ends the season – but this team has already exceeded expectations.
Kickoff is 8:15 PM ET on NBC. Patriots fans, set your alarms, grab your gear, and get loud – this is playoff football.
Do you believe the Pats pull off the upset tonight? Drop your score prediction below – let’s talk! 💚💙
(Word count: 598)
Disclaimer
Game time, broadcast, and odds are accurate as of January 19, 2026, 01:53 PM IST. Check local listings and official NFL sources for any last-minute changes. Content for informational and entertainment purposes only.
