What could NFL playoff bracket look like in divisional round? AFC playoff scenarios for Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Steelers, Texans, Bills, Chargers.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/chargers/onsi as Chargers accused of being NFL playoff 'fool's gold' by NFL execs. In some circles, the Los Angeles Chargers feel like a savvy underdog pick going into the NFL playoffs and their Round 1 showdown with the New England Patriots.

NFL playoff odds, picks, predictions, TV channel, streaming information for Sunday football game between New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers did not wait for the postseason to expose their depth at offensive line. That became evident on Monday when they announced the signing of former Georgia OL Ben Cleveland to their practice squad.

If the Los Angeles Chargers want to grab their first playoff win in the Jim Harbaugh era, they'll need to go through the New England Patriots first. In what's shaping up to be an electric Wild Card weekend slate of games,

Now Herbert is seeking his very first playoff win. Both of his previous postseason losses came on the road in the Wild Card Round. The Chargers fell 32-12 to the Texans last year, and in 2022, they lost 31-30 to the Jaguars after blowing a 27-0 lead.

The Rams and Chargers have become perennial NFL playoff teams, but capturing hearts and minds in the City of Angels might require more.

Despite this, mock drafts have already begun to fly. Bleacher Report's recent one has the Bolts selecting another protector for Herbert. At No. 22 overall, Bleacher Report had the Chargers select Alabama's Kadyn Proctor. Proctor played left tackle for the Crimson Tide, but projects better as a guard according to scouting reports.

The Chargers opened up their week of practice with a lengthy list of injuries ahead of their NFL wild-card matchup against the Patriots.