Series leader:Patriots, 17-13-2
Streaks: The Patriots have won 10 of the last 12.
On TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC (Al Michaels and John Madden)
Remember the last time? January 14, 2007: Patriots 24 at Chargers 21. The Patriots came back to end the Chargers magical season, and -- for the time being -- coach Marty Schottenheimer's coaching career.
Inside the game:
Chargers: The Chargers have won 11 consecutive regular season games. ... QB Philip Rivers has a 15-2 record as a starter -- the highest among active quarterbacks. ... Rivers has a 97.0 passer raiting in road games. ... Of course, LaDainian Tomlinson leads the team with one touchdown pass. Tomlinson is also a decent runner, too, with four career 200-yard rushing games, one that came against New England in 2002. ... TE Antonio Gates led the team with nine receptions for 107 yards, and has been a huge target on third down. Gates missed practice on Wednesday. ... The Chargers defense did not allow a TD last week and forced four turnovers. The Chargers defense had three INTs against Patriots QB Tom Brady in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game.
Patriots: The Patriots have won five consecutive home opners. ... QB Tom Brady has taken advantage of his new receivers: Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte' Stallworth, connecting 16 times for 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Jets. Moss led the league with 183 receiving yards. ... The Patriots are 6-0 when Laurence Maroney has at least 15 carries. He had a career high 20 attempts in week 1. ... LB Junior Seau played 13 seasons for the Chargers and was selected to 12 consecutive Pro Bowls. ... CB/KR Ellis Hobbs returned a kickoff 108 yards for a TD last week -- the longest in NFL history.