TODAY’S MATCHUP

NEW ENGLAND (13-4) AT SAN DIEGO (14-2)

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.

TV: Ch. 2.

Line: San Diego by 4 1/2 .

* New England update: The Patriots are 11-1 in the playoffs under quarterback Tom Brady, winning three of the last five Super Bowls. Their defense gave up 237 points this season, second-fewest in the league. Running backs Laurence Maroney and Corey Dillon totaled 1,557 yards and 19 touchdowns.

* San Diego update: The Chargers had the league’s best record in the regular season and led the league in scoring with 492 points. League most valuable player LaDainian Tomlinson had an NFL-record 31 touchdowns, and quarterback Philip Rivers passed for 3,388 yards and 22 touchdowns, but Rivers is making his first playoff start.

* Story line: San Diego Coach Marty Schottenheimer, who is 5-12 in the playoffs in his career and has lost five postseason games in a row, is on the hot seat despite the success this season and might need a Super Bowl appearance to keep his job.

* The pick: San Diego. Last week we saw the Patriots of old; this week, we’ll see the old Patriots.

-- PETER YOON