When the Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots take the field under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football, most fans already know where their eyes will go first. Justin Herbert and Drake Maye will command national attention. Christian Gonzalez and Derwin James will headline the defensive battle. Jim Harbaugh and Mike Vrabel will bring the heavyweight chess match the league has been waiting for.

But while the stars will dominate the storylines leading into kickoff, it is the secondary matchups that could actually decide this game. If the Chargers want a legitimate chance to pull off the upset in Foxborough, there are three Patriots players they must account for on every snap. Ignore them, and Los Angeles will be packing the locker room by Monday morning.

The Patriots may run through Drake Maye, but the Chargers would be foolish to overlook TreVeyon Henderson. The rookie back has added a burst and a physical edge that perfectly complements the New England passing attack. He is the outlet Maye leans on when the pocket collapses, and he is the player who can take early-down pressure off New England’s young quarterback.

For the Chargers, this starts with winning at the line of scrimmage and forcing Henderson into early contact on every carry. If Los Angeles can clog lanes and stay disciplined with run fits, they can make the Patriots one-dimensional and force the game entirely onto Drake Maye’s shoulders. If Henderson finds rhythm early, the Bolts are in danger of being dragged into a long, exhausting fight that rarely favors the road team.

The Chargers’ interior offensive line has been a problem all year. New England’s edge rush is not elite, but Milton Williams is a disruptive force inside and must be treated like one. If he wins consistently against Bradley Bozeman and the interior trio, the Chargers will struggle to run between the tackles and Justin Herbert will have defenders in his lap before he reaches the top of his drop.

Greg Roman will need to scheme extra help inside, not outside. Chip blocks, double teams and quick passing concepts have to be part of the plan from the opening drive. If Williams is constantly in the backfield, the Chargers offense will not survive long enough to give Herbert a chance.

Field position will matter more in this game than almost any other matchup this weekend. That puts Marcus Jones and the Patriots punt return unit directly in the spotlight. Jones is an All-Pro level returner with the ability to flip field position instantly, and if the Chargers give him open grass, New England will not hesitate to take advantage.

That makes this a massive test for JK Scott and Ryan Ficken. Directional punting, proper coverage lanes and disciplined tackling will be mandatory. Giving the Patriots short fields is a death sentence for a Chargers offense that may struggle to sustain long drives of its own.

Outside of Drake Maye and Stefon Diggs, these three Patriots players can be the difference between victory and a quick postseason exit. If Henderson, Williams or Jones put their fingerprints on this game, the Chargers will be fighting uphill from the opening quarter. Keep all three in check, and Los Angeles moves a step closer to a rematch with Denver in the divisional round.