Chargers know they cant underestimate Drake Maye | College News
The Chargers’ mindset hasn’t wavered since Week 1.
Coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert insisted that it’s business as traditional for the Chargers forward of their AFC wild-card showdown against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday evening.
But rookie large receiver Tre’ Harris can’t help but really feel some change, even if just so barely — figuring out that a loss means back-to-back seasons under Harbaugh without a playoff win.
“Everybody a little bit more locked in,” Harris said. “Everybody’s staying a couple more hours after meetings and things like that. Cleaning up things, making sure everything’s dotted. That’s what comes with playoff football.”
Harris referenced a “wise words” speech linebacker Daiyan Henley made at the end of apply Thursday as an instance of the communication veteran gamers and coaches are extending to youthful gamers on the group.
Henley, who eclipsed 100 tackles for the second straight season, said his message was about not letting up — a reminder to adhere to the Chargers’ season-long requirements and processes with their Super Bowl aspirations on the road.
“For me mentally, and for a lot of guys here, you get into these rooms with these coaches, and they can build up the moment, build up the anticipation,” he said. “It’s the playoffs. It’s do or die.”
The Crenshaw High alumnus continued: “These are things we all know. But what we have to understand is that it’s been do or die since we started this season, because if it wasn’t, we wouldn’t be here — we wouldn’t be in this situation in the playoffs.”
The significance of the sport isn’t misplaced on Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who has been working longer in conferences — and waking up earlier too. Roman, who guided the Chargers to the Twelfth-best offense (334 yards per sport) despite shedding standout offensive linemen Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt and working back Najee Harris to accidents during the yr, has been getting a head start on playoff preparations by setting his alarm for 2:30 a.m.
Luckily for the sleep-deprived Roman, he ought to have a healthy offensive line. Jamaree Salyer, who sat out the last two weeks with a hamstring injury, is set to return at left sort out, giving the Chargers their best beginning 5.
But one big query stays: will working back Omarion Hampton play?
After recovering from a fractured left ankle, the rookie tweaked his proper ankle during Week 17 against the Houston Texans. Hampton, listed as questionable, said he’s planning to play against the Patriots. If Hampton can’t play or isn’t 100%, it might show pricey against a New England group that had the NFL’s sixth-best run protection (102 yards per sport) during the common season.
A standout efficiency by the Chargers’ protection would alleviate some of the strain on offense. Under defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, the Chargers allowed the fifth-fewest yards (285 per sport) and had the league’s ninth-ranked scoring protection.
In December 2024, the Chargers defeated quarterback Drake Maye and the Patriots 40-7 in Foxborough. Under coach Mike Vrabel, New England is a a lot different group — and Minter is aware of stopping Maye, a favourite for NFL MVP, is not going to be straightforward.
“Maybe the top offense in football,” said Minter, who has obtained requests to interview for head teaching jobs with the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans.
But Minter is prepared for the problem, one that might add another spotlight to his resume and ship the Chargers into new territory under Harbaugh.
“I think everybody in our room has tremendous confidence,” Minter said.
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