Countdown to kickoff: Can the Patriots even their record with a victory in Los Angeles on Sunday?

Perhaps you heard a little bit this week about what happened last year when the Patriots played the Chargers?

But a 45-0 Patriots rout is a thing of the past, and Sunday is a whole new ballgame with significant changes on both sidelines. New England (3-4) can get back to .500 with a victory, while Los Angeles (4-2, coming off bye week) can keep pace with the AFC West-leading Raiders (5-2, on bye week) with a victory.

Stay tuned for news updates, commentary, and analysis throughout the day.

Inactives — 2:35 p.m.

Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is active for Sunday’s game. He had been listed as questionable on the Chargers’ injury report and did not practice during the week.

Patriots: TE Devin Asiasi, OL Yasir Durant, RB J.J. Taylor, LB Brandon King, DE Ronnie Perkins, CB Shaun Wade

Chargers: QB Easton Stick, RB Joshua Kelley, DB Mark Webb Jr., FB Gabe Nabers, OL Trey Pipkins III

Pregame observations and scenes — 1:48 p.m.

The Globe’s Ben Volin, Jim McBride, Nicole Yang, and Tara Sullivan are at SoFi Stadium for Sunday’s game.

Tale of the tape — 1:45 p.m.

A comparison of the team statistics reveals a pretty evenly matched game on paper. Both teams are in second place in their division, and they rank pretty close in categories like points per game (Patriots 11th, Chargers 13th), total offense (Chargers 12th, Patriots 16th), and total defense (Patriots 12th, Chargers 19th).

They also have similar numbers for things like possession average (Patriots 29:14, Chargers 29:06), total touchdowns (both have 19), and penalties (Patriots 42 for 414 yards, Chargers 43 for 432 yards).

A few disparities stand out, including rush defense (Patriots 11, Chargers 32nd), points allowed per game (Patriots 6th, Chargers 22nd), and field goals (Patriots 16-for-17, Chargers 6-for-7).

Series history — 1:34 p.m.

The Patriots begin their only stretch of back-to-back road games on Sunday in Los Angeles. Next week, they are in Charlotte, N.C. to face the Panthers.

The Patriots are 24-14-2 vs. the Chargers in regular-season matchups dating to 1960. New England has won the last five meetings. The last Chargers victory vs. the Patriots was in October of 2008.

The teams have met four times in the playoffs, where the Patriots hold a 3-1 edge.