After an incredible 2025 NFL regular season, resulting in 14 wins and an AFC East division title, the New England Patriots will have a tough challenge right out of the gate in the NFL playoffs against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers during Wild Card Weekend.
Along with having to contend with one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, the Patriots’ potent offense will have to go up against the lockdown defense of the Chargers, led by four-time All-Pro safety Derwin James.
Derwin James Has Patriots OC Josh McDaniels on Alert
GettyDerwin James Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Chargers
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels discussed facing a formidable Chargers defense in the Wild Card round and the challenges that come with it, especially going up against James.
“I think they’re really a physical group,” McDaniels said of the Chargers’ defense. “Their front seven is super physical, and I’ll just say their front eight because Derwin James is probably as unique a defensive piece as we’ve played all year. He’s just not one thing. He plays safety, linebacker, nickel.
“He blitzes. He’s down there in the front. … He’s a special player.”
Clearly, McDaniels isn’t taking James lightly heading into this playoff showdown at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, and that’s probably the right way to go moving forward.
Patriots’ Mike Vrabel Opens Up About Facing Justin Herbert
GettyJustin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers
Vrabel believes that James is a game-changer due to his instincts on the defensive side of the football, which are driven by passion.
“I think he’s got really good instincts when he blitzes, whether to go inside or go outside,” Vrabel said of James. “I think he has a passion, there’s a love for football, there’s a play demeanor. He’s a very good tackler. He can cover. He matches up. He has versatility to play down, close to the line of scrimmage. He can play in the deeper part of the field. Again, just having the luxury to coach a Pro Bowl, he was on that team, and just an unbelievable person. I remember his mom was getting married, and he communicated, he reached out like, ‘Hey, I’m going to miss a day.’ I was like, ‘Buddy, I don’t think there’s any rules to the Pro Bowl.’ So, just remembering that about him, I always have a lot of respect for him. Obviously, the player he is, but the person.”
The Patriots head coach also shared his thoughts on going up against Herbert in this AFC heavyweight showdown in Foxborough on Sunday. Vrabel knows his defense has a tough challenge ahead against a very talented quarterback.
“He’s got toughness, great arm talent, great athletic ability,” Vrabel said of Herbert. “He’s under duress and it doesn’t really affect him. You don’t see him get frustrated. A lot of respect for him as a person, and obviously as a player. He’s lived up to everything that they thought he’d be as a franchise quarterback, and he’s really just one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
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