Scott Zolak made his prediction for the Patriots’ playoff run

Morning Sports Update

“I feel like this is just the beginning, regardless of what happens here in the playoffs.”

By Hayden Bird

January 6, 2026 | 10:40 AM

3 minutes to read

Scott Zolak’s Patriots playoff prediction: The Patriots are set to play in the NFL postseason for the first time since the 2021 season when the Chargers take the field at Gillette Stadium in Sunday night’s wild-card matchup.

New England, despite losing to Los Angeles 40-7 a little over a year ago at the end of a disastrous 2024 season, is currently a modest favorite. Former Patriots quarterback (and radio commentator) Scott Zolak recently weighed in on how far he thinks Mike Vrabel’s upstart team can go.

“I’d be disappointed if they lose,” Zolak said of the upcoming game against the Chargers. Reflecting on New England’s remarkable 14-3 regular season, he acknowledged that it went far beyond what he thought was possible.

“I would’ve never guessed this,” Zolak admitted. “I didn’t think they were going to get to 14. Even when they were around 10 and nine [wins], ‘Oh they’re going to get caught a little bit.’ Injuries started to add up.”

And yet, the Patriots have managed to keep the pace going, closing out the regular season on Sunday with a convincing 38-10 win over the Dolphins.

The former signal-caller credited Patriots fans for driving organizational changes following back-to-back four-win seasons.

“You knew when to boo the last two years. And when you booed, the message was sent,” Zolak said of the fans. “It was sent to the Kraft family to change this, and they did it, and it changed in a matter of one year.”

Noting that fans’ enthusiasm has built over the course of the season, he took an optimistic view of the future.

“The fans are back. It feels like they got their team back,” he said. “I feel like this is just the beginning, regardless of what happens here in the playoffs.”

But as for how far he thinks Drake Maye and the Patriots can go?

“I think they’re in the AFC championship game,” Zolak predicted.

New England kicks off at home against the Chargers on Sunday at 8 p.m. The AFC championship game will be played on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Trivia: Scott Zolak was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. What quarterback from that draft totaled the greatest number of career passing yards in the NFL?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: He was drafted by the Falcons, but managed zero passing yards with Atlanta before he was traded.

Scores and schedules:

The Celtics defeated the Bulls 115-101 on Monday night, as Anfernee Simons led the way for Boston with 27 points.

Tonight, the Bruins face the Kraken in Seattle at 10 p.m.

Tomorrow, the Boston Fleet face the Seattle Torrent at Agganis Arena at 7 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

Previewing the Patriots-Chargers matchup: Boston Globe Patriots reporters Ben Volin and Nicole Yang shared their thoughts about the upcoming wild-card matchup.

On this day: In 1994, Mass. native Nancy Kerrigan was finishing with a practice skate in Detroit prior to U.S. nationals (ahead of the ’94 Winter Olympics) when she was suddenly attacked by Shane Stant wielding a police baton. Kerrigan suffered a severely bruised knee and was forced to miss nationals.

The aftermath of the incident generated enormous media coverage as the scandal was eventually linked to one of Kerrigan’s rivals, Tonya Harding. Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly (along with fellow co-conspirator Shawn Eckardt) orchestrated the assault in the hope of preventing Kerrigan from skating at the Olympics. Though Harding denied any knowledge of or involvement in the attack, both a grand jury and a disciplinary panel from the United States Figure Skating Association later found evidence to the contrary.

Amid the scandal, both skaters eventually made their way to the Lillehammer Olympics, with Kerrigan recovering to win a silver medal. Harding finished eighth.

Daily highlight: Dane Steel helped Montana State win a wild FCS title game with an impressive catch and score. The Bobcats ended up defeating Illinois State in overtime, 35-34.