NFL Exec Calls Out Jim Harbaugh's Chargers as 'Fool's Gold' vs. Drake Maye, Patriots

After the Los Angeles Chargers closed out the year with back-to-back losses, it sounds like many aren't giving them a chance in their AFC Wild Card matchup against the New England Patriots.

The Athletic's Mike Sando spoke to an NFL executive who called the Chargers "fool's gold" ahead of the playoffs.

"New England has been doing it all year," the exec told Sando. "(Mike) Vrabel is a been-there, done-that coach, which offsets the inexperience of his team. Same with Josh McDaniels, who knows how to come up with a game plan in the playoffs. He's got his MVP quarterback (Drake Maye) playing out of his mind. They're going to be tough to beat."

The Chargers had an impressive run where they won seven out of eight games, but their recent losses have created questions about their status as title contenders. They suffered a 20-16 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 17 before ending the year with a 19-3 loss to the Denver Broncos.

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Sando also noted that Los Angeles' "patched-together offensive line" makes it "tough to envision" the team making a deep run in the playoffs. Quarterback Justin Herbert could have a tough time keeping up with Maye, who is one of the frontrunners for NFL MVP after his impressive sophomore campaign.

Still, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh surely won't give up easily, so the team will be hoping to silence its doubters when it meets the Patriots on Sunday night.