FOXBORO — The Patriots host the Chargers Sunday afternoon at 1pm at Gillette Stadium, with a 5-2 record that has them atop the AFC East entering Week 8.
After Sunday's game, the Patriots will enjoy a bye week before heading out west to play Denver and Oakland.
"That bye week is really a chance to re-evaluate where you're at," said quarterback Tom Brady. "Knowing that this is the last game before that, you want to finish on a high note and you want to go in feeling really good about what you've done."
The Chargers started the season 0-4, but have won three consecutive games, including a 21-0 win over Denver last Sunday.
"They're hot. They've won three straight," said Brady. "They've got a really good defense. There's nothing easy about it. It's a big challenge facing them. To get to 6-2 would be huge for this team and that's what we're going to try and do."
"They've got a great, two really good edge rushers," said center David Andrews. "Inside they've got some really great players, too, so it's definitely going to be a challenge, they're playing some really good football right now."
Earlier Wednesday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick addressed the media about Sunday's game:
Patriots gear up for matchup with Chargers
This browser does not support the video element.