Bedard's Daily Briefing 01.07.19: Here come the worthy Chargers, Celtics look for three-straight

Good morning!

A few random thoughts while I wonder what kind of frequent miles the Chargers are looking at this week...

• Obviously, the Chargers are coming to Foxborough to take on the Patriots. Will have much more to say with an early read on the matchup in a bit.


• There will be a lot of talk this week about travel, weather, history, coordinators and a whole bunch of other bullcrap, in my opinion.


• This game comes down to plays better and executes on Sunday. That's it. If you think a team that won at Seattle, vs. Tennessee in London, at Pittsburgh, at Kansas City, at Denver and at Baltimore is going to intimidated by all that nonsense, then I can't help you.


• There is little doubt this was the toughest matchup for the Patriots. And it will be. By any measure — record, road record, analytics (offensive and defensive efficiency), QB stats and analytics — except special teams, the Chargers have been better than the Patriots this season. Patriots are going to need home field to give them those three points this week.


• From BetDSI: The spread of 4.5 points is the lowest for a New England home playoff game since 2010 (vs. Baltimore, -4). The Patriots were favored by at least 6 points in each of their previous 13 postseason games at Foxboro.


• Love how this is the Old Guys Bowl. Rivers vs. Brady is great theater.


• Celtics are back at it tonight against the Nets. Kyrie Irving is expected to be back. Everybody get those hot takes ready if they get off to a slow start.