Houston Texans' Case Keenum (7) is sacked by New England Patriots' Isaac Sopoaga, right, and Chandler Jones (95) during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Houston. 

New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) takes a selfie with a fan during the New England Patriots training camp held on the practice field at Gillette Stadium on August 2, 2015.

New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo (51) and defensive end Chandler Jones (95) chase Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) in the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. 

Tom Brady - As he lays the foundation for yet another potential MVP season, Brady will have to be quick and on point against the Chargers impressive pass rush. He emphasized this week how "fast" he must get rid of the ball against the NFL's No. 5 pass defense. 

Tom Brady - As he lays the foundation for yet another potential MVP season, Brady will have to be quick and on point against the Chargers impressive pass rush. He emphasized this week how "fast" he must get rid of the ball against the NFL's No. 5 pass defense. 

Melvin Gordon - The young running back is not exactly lighting it up in his third season. Gordon is the focal point of the Chargers rushing attack, but is averaging a mere 3.4 yards per carry heading into a battle with the Patriots banged up run defense.

Philip Rivers - Rivers got high praise from Bill Belichick this week, but the aging veteran isn't having his best season. Rivers has always been seen as sort of a second-tier franchise QB, despite having never reached a Super Bowl. Coming in with just a 60.9 completion percentage and 89.9 rating, is Rivers ready to win a potential shootout with Tom Brady?

Philip Rivers - Rivers got high praise from Bill Belichick this week, but the aging veteran isn't having his best season. Rivers has always been seen as sort of a second-tier franchise QB, despite having never reached a Super Bowl. Coming in with just a 60.9 completion percentage and 89.9 rating, is Rivers ready to win a potential shootout with Tom Brady?

Joey Bosa/Melvin Ingram - Bill Belichick described the Chargers pass-rush duo that's notched a combined 16 sacks in seven games as "special." It deserves special attention from the Patriots offensive line and fans alike on Sunday afternoon.

Joey Bosa/Melvin Ingram - Bill Belichick described the Chargers pass-rush duo that's notched a combined 16 sacks in seven games as "special." It deserves special attention from the Patriots offensive line and fans alike on Sunday afternoon.

New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) celebrates after the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won the game 28-24. 

Alan Branch - With Dont'a Hightower lost for the year and Malcom Brown dealing with an ankle injury, the veteran Branch becomes the key cog in the run defense this week. The Chargers will likely try to get their suspect run game going and it will be up to Branch to led the way up front for New England to ensure the visitors don't find early success on the ground.

Alan Branch - With Dont'a Hightower lost for the year and Malcom Brown dealing with an ankle injury, the veteran Branch becomes the key cog in the run defense this week. The Chargers will likely try to get their suspect run game going and it will be up to Branch to led the way up front for New England to ensure the visitors don't find early success on the ground.

Devin McCourty - The Pro Bowl safety is literally and figuratively at the center of it all in the back end of the defense. With Dont'a Hightower gone for the year, McCourty's leadership and communication becomes more valuable. The veteran also will be tested by Philip Rivers frequently throwing to his tight ends and running backs.

Devin McCourty - The Pro Bowl safety is literally and figuratively at the center of it all in the back end of the defense. With Dont'a Hightower gone for the year, McCourty's leadership and communication becomes more valuable. The veteran also will be tested by Philip Rivers frequently throwing to his tight ends and running backs.

New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones reacts after the Patriots stopped the Buffalo Bills on a drive in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 34-20.

New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) celebrates after forcing a fumble on a sack of Buffalo Bills quarterback Kyle Orton during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Rob Gronkowski - The big tight end continues to be the Patriots go-to guy in the passing game. With Antonio Gates in the building, it's not a stretch to say the game features two of the best tight ends to ever play the game. And a healthy Gronkowksi is going strong averaging nearly 16 yards a catch this fall.

Casey Hayward - The Pro Bowl cornerback isn't often talked about as one of the better cornerbacks in the game. It will be interesting to see how he deals with Brandin Cooks and the rest of the NFL's No. 1 passing attack.

New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) pursues Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during an NFL game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014.

Nate Solder/Marcus Cannon - New England's tackle duo faces its toughest test of the season against the L.A. two-headed pass-rush monster of Joey Bosa (7.5 sacks) and Melvin Ingram (8.5). Neither Patriots tackle has played his best yet this fall and this would be a good week to reach that level.

Nate Solder/Marcus Cannon - New England's tackle duo faces its toughest test of the season against the L.A. two-headed pass-rush monster of Joey Bosa (7.5 sacks) and Melvin Ingram (8.5). Neither Patriots tackle has played his best yet this fall and this would be a good week to reach that level.

Hunter Henry - While Antonio Gates is the Chargers future Hall of Fame tight end, the second-year stud Henry has a much larger role in the offense. Henry has 21 catches for 301 yards and two scores as he prepares to face a Patriots pass defense that's allowed five touchdown passes to tight ends, third-most in the NFL this season.