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NFL Divisional Round weekend: X-factors for each game

By Dylan Broady

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals on October 21, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals on October 21, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – OCTOBER 29: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shakes hands with Los Angeles Chargers Philip Rivers after they defeated the Chargers 21-13 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Oct. 29, 2017. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – OCTOBER 29: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shakes hands with Los Angeles Chargers Philip Rivers after they defeated the Chargers 21-13 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Oct. 29, 2017. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots

X-FACTOR: Tom Brady

There are so many storylines for this game we could touch on. The one that we keep hearing this season usually surrounds Tom Brady’s age and if this year’s Patriot team is showing signs of the usual dynasty decline. Brady has a knack for coming up huge in big-time games. He’ll want to go out on a good note if he’s even thinking about retiring, which he shows no signs of doing so.

If the Patriots want to continue being feared by their peers they’ll have to come out and punch the Chargers defense right in the mouth. The Chargers are very similar to the Indianapolis Colts. They arguably the two most complete teams left in the playoffs. Brady will have to prove he still has it. The Chargers play great defense, as we saw against the very talented Lamar Jackson.

But Brady is not Lamar Jackson. Even if he’s showing signs of decline, his track record speaks for itself and he can pick apart any defensive scheme. Whether it’s zone or man to man, Brady will recognize it and get the ball out fast. He’s absolutely the x-factor in this game. This team goes as he goes. If the Patriots offensive line can keep Brady clean we will see New England in yet another AFC Championship game.

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