Chargers at Patriots is oldest starting quarterback matchup in playoff history

At a combined 78 years and 198 days, Philip Rivers and Tom Brady are the oldest starting quarterback matchup in NFL playoffs history. Both offenses today will go as their veteran signal callers go. The New England Patriots have given their quarterback a superior offensive line to the one protecting Rivers, but the skill position players for the Los Angeles Chargers are significantly more talented than those surrounding Brady.

Ultimately, this game will come down as so many do to which offense is able to move the ball more effectively and this is as epic a matchup as you could possibly ask for with both units being led by future Hall of Famers.

Gus Bradley’s defense had no problem shutting down the run-first Baltimore Ravens last weekend, but the Patriots and Brady present a completely different challenge. Philip Rivers has not had much success against Bill Belichick in the playoffs, but New England is not the defensive powerhouse they have been in past years and the Chargers should be able to move the ball against them especially with Deatrich Wise sidelined.