The Patriots host Phillip Rivers and the Los Angles Chargers in a pivotal conference game. The Chargers have won three in a row after an 0-3 start to the start. Los Angles boasts one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. They will give the Patriots depleted defense all they can handle. 

Here are five keys for the Patriots in this game.

1. Back Ups Defensively Must Step Up: With Malcolm Brown, Dont’a Hightower and Stephon Gilmore all out, the Patriots depth will be challenged defensively. The back ups must step and play well. If they don’t, the Patriots are in for a long afternoon.

2. Slide to Bosa: The Patriots have to gear their protections towards Joey Bosa. Bosa can wreck a game plan. Look for the Patriots to block him with their tackles, tight ends and running backs.

3.Attack Their Corners: The Patriots have to attack Los Angeles’ corners and throw the ball outside the hashes. The Chargers like to bring edge pressure and match up on the outside. The Patriots have to take advantage when they are in man and push the ball vertically. 

4. Perimeter Screens: One of the ways to take advantage of teams that rely on their edge rushers to generate pressure is perimeter screens. The Patriots need to get Danny Amendola, James White and Brandin Cooks the ball in space. Quick screens is the best way to do it.

5. Get Inside Pressure On Rivers: The Patriots need to get consistent inside pressure on Rivers. Make him get out of the pocket and force him to throw on the run. Rivers has never been a good passer out of the pocket. The Patriots have to put him on the run. 

Final Thoughts: The Patriots need to win this game and go into the bye with some momentum. It won’t be easy, especially given the injuries they have on defense but if the Patriots can find a way to get it done, it would be a huge confidence boost going into the second half of the season.