At a Glance
- New England ousts Los Angeles 16-3, ending a seven-year playoff win drought
- Drake Maye throws for 268 yards and one TD in his postseason debut
- The Chargers’ injury-ravaged line surrenders six sacks on Justin Herbert
- Why it matters: The Patriots secure a home divisional-round date while the Chargers enter an off-season of questions
The New England Patriots are back in the playoff win column for the first time since the 2019 season, knocking off the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 on a chilly night at Gillette Stadium.
How It Happened
The contest remained a field-goal battle for three quarters until the Patriots punched in the night’s only touchdown early in the fourth. That score proved decisive, as the No. 2 seed moved one step closer to the AFC title game.
New England will host either the Pittsburgh Steelers-led by Aaron Rodgers-or the Houston Texans, who feature a stingy defense under DeMeco Ryans, next Sunday.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, closes the book on 2025 and faces another off-season of what-if after injuries again derailed a promising roster.
Winners
Drake Maye, Patriots
Playoff debuts rarely come easy, and Maye’s was no exception. The rookie quarterback completed 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards, one touchdown and an interception while absorbing five sacks and losing one of two fumbles.
His touchdown strike came at the perfect moment-a fourth-quarter dart to Hunter Henry, a former Charger, that stretched the lead to 13-3.
Maye’s stat line will not wow analytics devotees, but the bottom line is a W in his first January start.
Christian Gonzalez, Patriots
The 2023 first-round cornerback showed why coaches believe he is a franchise building block. According to NFL Next Gen Stats:
- Gonzalez allowed zero receptions on five targets in 26 coverage snaps
- His -9.7 receptions over expected since Week 1 ranks lowest in the league, playoffs included
With Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen managing little separation, the Patriots secondary heads into the divisional round confident it can shadow elite receivers.
Mike Vrabel, Patriots Head Coach
Vrabel’s return to Foxborough has paid immediate dividends. After three straight playoff trips with Tennessee from 2019-2021 followed by two losing seasons, the 50-year-old rejoined the organization that once employed him as a hard-nosed linebacker.
His imprint is obvious: a physical defense that mirrors his personality and an offense leaning on ball control and timely play-action. Whether the run ends next week or in February, the Patriots believe they have their long-term sideline leader.
Losers
Chargers Offensive Line
Injuries forced Los Angeles to start backups at three positions, and the group ranked near the bottom in both run and pass-blocking metrics. The proof surfaced in real time:
- Justin Herbert dropped back 31 times and was sacked six times for -39 yards
- The final takedown came on fourth-and-10, effectively sealing the game
Herbert finished 19-for-31 for only 159 yards; his legs produced the night’s longest gain.
Greg Roman, Chargers Offensive Coordinator
Roman’s résumé features productive ground attacks in San Francisco and Baltimore, yet his passing schemes have repeatedly lagged. Critics note a pattern:
- Colin Kaepernick, Lamar Jackson and now Herbert have all struggled to hit postseason stride under his watch
- Despite elite defensive support, Roman-led units often stall when it matters most
At 53, Roman’s run-heavy philosophy appears increasingly dated. Many around the league expect the Chargers to explore more modern play-callers this spring.
Justin Herbert, Chargers Quarterback
The Oregon product turns 28 in March and owns an 0-3 postseason record. Sunday’s performance did little to silence doubters:
- Posted a passer rating of 63.9
- Threw for 5.1 yards per attempt
- Managed zero points after the opening drive
Despite a Pro Bowl résumé in the regular season, Herbert has yet to author a signature playoff moment.
Key Numbers
| Stat | Patriots | Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 16 | 3 |
| Total Yards | 319 | 228 |
| Sacks Allowed | 1 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of Possession | 34:12 | 25:48 |
Looking Ahead
New England’s reward is a home divisional-round matchup against either the battle-tested Steelers or the upstart Texans. The franchise last reached the AFC Championship in the 2018 season.
Los Angeles heads into another turbulent off-season. The Chargers have multiple starters ticketed for free agency, a first-year head coach still finding his footing and a quarterback whose window for contention is narrowing.
Key Takeaways
- Drake Maye wins a playoff game before many of his draft classmates reach the postseason
- New England’s defense returns to vintage form, holding a top-10 offense to a lone field goal
- The Chargers’ injury bug strikes again, exposing depth issues on the line of scrimmage
- Mike Vrabel re-establishes a winning culture in Foxborough less than a year after taking the job
