Patriots’ defense dominates Chargers, keeps them out of end zone in playoff win
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The New England Patriots held their own in the Wild Card Round and advanced to the NFL Playoffs with a 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
New England, which won its first playoff game since the 2018 Super Bowl win, will wait for the winner of the #4 Houston Texans and #5 Pittsburgh Steelers Wild Card game on Monday night to see who they will face in the Divisional Round next week.
This game saw its first touchdown in the fourth quarter, but that was due to how stifling both defenses were in this contest. But it was clear that the Patriots had every answer against Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense.
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Drake Maye of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on January 4, 2026. (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Mike Vrabel’s team needed to not give up just three points, especially after Drake Maye was picked off at their own 10-yard line on the Patriots’ second drive. But the Patriots’ defense was relentless all night, and the Chargers couldn’t adjust.
They stopped the Chargers on four plays, turning them over on downs, and were first on the board thanks to a 93-yard drive that ultimately resulted in a field goal.
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Los Angeles was knocking on the door again with a third-and-two from New England’s three-yard line, but Kimani Vidal was blocked. Cameron Dicker added a field goal to tie the game, and only one more Patriots field goal added to the score before halftime, giving New England a 6-3 lead.
Even though the Chargers couldn’t get anything going on offense, their defense kept them in this game for at least the first three quarters. Maye was stripped and sacked by Odafe Oweh in Chargers territory to keep the game a three-point game in the third quarter.
But after another failed field goal, the Patriots’ third field goal made it 9-3.
Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots talks with his teammates before the AFC wild card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
The Patriots’ dagger came after another punt by the Chargers; Maye perfectly placed the pass to tight end former Chargers star Hunter Henry for a 28-yard touchdown. The first six-point basket by either team seemingly ended all hope for Los Angeles.
On the ensuing drive, Herbert was run over by K’Lavon Chaisson, resulting in a fumble recovered by Christian Elliss as the Gillette Stadium crowd went ballistic.
The Chargers looked to continue their playoff heroics as they moved into Patriots territory. But on fourth-and-9 from New England’s 34-yard line, Milton Williams ended all hope as the Patriots threw their sixth sack on Herbert, putting them back on track.
In the box score, Maye was 17-of-29 through the air for 268 yards, and running back Rhamondre Stevenson was the top receiver with 75 yards on three catches. Kayshon Boutte also added 66 yards on four carries, while Henry finished with 64 yards.
Drake Maye of the New England Patriots looks to throw a pass before the NFL wild card playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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And Maye was also the Patriots’ leading rusher with 67 yards on the ground on nine carries while constantly picking his spots to hurt the Chargers’ defense.
Herbert’s playoff woes continue in Los Angeles, where they are 0-3 after this performance. He had just 159 yards passing and 57 yards rushing.
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