The Chargers have drawn the Patriots in the Wild Card Round of the 2025 NFL playoffs.

Here are five takeaways from Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh's Monday press conference.

1. Playoff mindset

Most days after a game, Harbaugh offers up a few smiles or a laugh in his afternoon media session.

Not on this Monday.

With the Bolts road playoff game against the Patriots looming, the Chargers Head Coach was locked in as ever during a media session that lasted fewer than 10 minutes.

"Ready to have at it. I know it's only Monday, but that's the kind of energy that's in the building," Harbaugh said.

The Chargers are the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoff field after they finished 11-6 after the 2025 season.

The Patriots, meanwhile, are the second-seeded team in the AFC after New England went 14-3 and won the AFC East.

Harbaugh said Monday that he's excited to see how his team approaches the week ahead in terms of their preparation so they can be ready to go Sunday night.

"I expect a playoff-type of atmosphere. We've all seen that a lot, specifically in Foxborough," Harbaugh said. "Getting ourselves prepared physically, mentally, is the task at hand."

2. Chargers injury updates

Harbaugh didn't have much in the way of injury updates when asked on Monday.

"I don't have an update on anybody today," Harbaugh said. "Let the treatment occur and Wednesday we'll be able to update on who's participating in practice and in what capacity."

The Chargers will practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before flying to the East Coast on Friday afternoon.

The Bolts do have a few key players to keep an eye on, including Omarion Hampton. The rookie running back is dealing with an ankle injury and did not play in Sunday's regular-season finale in Denver.

"I feel like he's do anything and everything he can to get back as fast as he can," Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh was also asked about left tackle Jamaree Salyer, who sustained a hamstring injury in the first quarter of a Week 16 win in Dallas.

Salyer missed the Bolts final two regular-season games but did go through a pregame workout Sunday in Denver.

"Continue to let the treatment occur and the rehab," Harbaugh said of Salyer. "By Wednesday we'll know what participation will be like."

The status of cornerback Donte Jackson, who suffered an ankle injury against the Broncos, will also be worth watching.

3. Respect for the Patriots

It was a little over a year ago that the Chargers went to New England and scored a 40-7 win that secured a playoff berth.

These are not the same Patriots, as New England has an entirely new coaching staff led by Mike Vrabel, plus plenty of roster improvements that led to a 14-win season.

"The record. Most dramatically," Harbaugh said when asked about New England's 10-win turnaround.

Harbaugh was asked Monday about what the hallmark of a Vrabel-coached team is.

Vrabel played linebacker for 14 NFL seasons and was a First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler with New England in 2007. He won three Super Bowls as a player with the Patriots and is a member of the team's Hall of Fame.

"The thing that sticks out, his teams play like he played. I do notice that," Harbaugh said. "Tough, gritty, physical, smart, fast. They kind of like to hit like he liked to hit. That's what I've noticed."

The Patriots defense certainly fits that bill as New England's unit is a disruptive and disciplined group that makes life difficult for the opposition.

New England finished fourth in the NFL in scoring defense (18.8 points per game) and also finished in the Top 10 in key stats such as yards per game (295.2) rushing yards per game (101.7) and first downs allowed per game (17.8).

On a more advanced level, the Patriots ranked ninth in defensive EPA per game.

"The most important categories they're top five, top 10 — Points per game, run defense," Harbaugh said. "It's not a lot of takeaways, that's not in the top 10, but it's really good, sound. Able to play a 3-4 team that can play as an 4-3 team, a 4-3 team that can go to a five-man line.

"Hallmarks in their coverages, which they play really well. They play the single-high, split-safety, all really good, effective. Very downhill, very physical, very good tacklers. Really sound," Harbaugh added. "Player driven, they put players in position to be successful. They do a great job with that. Long list of things that they do well."

The Patriots defense tied for 18th in 2025 with 19 total takeaways.

4. Praise for Drake Maye

A key reason for New England's resurgence in 2025?

The play of second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who might very well be the NFL MVP when all is said and done.

Maye threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2025 and led the NFL in completion percentage (72.0), average yards per attempt (8.9) and passer rating 113.5.

Harbaugh had plenty of praise for the Patriots quarterback on Monday.

"Really effective in every part of the quarterback play," Harbaugh said. "Throwing with accuracy, throwing outside the numbers, deep in the middle, athleticism, poise, toughness, durability.

"Everything has been a great year for him by any quarterback standard," Harbaugh added.

Maye, a two-time Pro Bowler, also threw just eight interceptions and lost only three fumbles all season.

5. Ready for primetime

The NFL is surely anticipating a great game Sunday as the Chargers and Patriots were put in the primetime slot.

Kickoff from Gillette Stadium is at 5 p.m. (PT) on Wild Card Weekend.

Harbaugh's squad was perfect in primetime in 2025, getting two wins on Monday night and one each on Thursday, Friday (in Brazil) and Sunday nights.

The Patriots, however, were also undefeated in primetime kickoffs in 2025, going 4-0 in such games.

"Excited for the game, for the opportunity. Ultra competitive season," Harbaugh said. "This is that time, you know? Put up or shut up time, no matter when the game is played.