Patriots rout Chargers in 16-3 playoff win

Doug Kyed, Boston Herald on Jan 11, 2026

Published in Football

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Countless MVP chants reigned down on quarterback Drake Maye in Sunday night’s 16-3 playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers, so that must make the New England Patriots’ defense the MVU.

Because the defense, not the offense, was the most valuable unit in the wild-card round win.

The defense put Justin Herbert in a blender, leaving him battered and bruised by the end of the fourth quarter. The Chargers quarterback, who is considered one of the top in the league, couldn’t get comfortable behind an offensive line that features backups at both tackle spots.

There were questions coming into Sunday night’s game about whether the Patriots’ pass rush could actually take advantage of the Chargers’ offensive line. The answer to that question Sunday night was an emphatic yes, and they were aided by an excellent secondary that shut down the Chargers’ wide receiver trio of Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston.

Maye didn’t look like himself early in the game against a stout Chargers defense, but he came around with a 17-of-29 performance with 268 passing yards, one passing touchdown, one interception, seven rushing attempts and 69 rushing yards.

The Patriots’ first offensive series started promisingly with a first-down completion to Stefon Diggs on the second play of the game. Ultimately, the Patriots were forced to punt after Maye took a third-down sack.

The Chargers were also forced to punt after a six-play, 28-yard drive. The Patriots were aided by a false start after a Chargers first down. The Chargers first showed they were going for it on fourth down but took a delay of game and punted instead.

The Patriots got the ball at their own 8-yard line. On the second play of the drive, Maye’s pass was tipped at the line by defensive lineman Teair Tart and intercepted by Daiyan Henley. There was no harm, no foul, however. The defense forced a turnover on downs on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line with an all-out blitz.

The Patriots drove 93 yards down the field on 14 plays to set up a 23-yard field goal from Andy Borregales to get on the board first for a 3-0 lead. Maye hit running back Rhamondre Stevenson on a 48-yard catch-and-run on the first play of the drive to kickstart the offense.

The Chargers tied it up with a 21-yard field goal. The Patriots’ defense let up a lot of ground but held up when it mattered in the red zone, stuffing running back Kimani Vidal for no gain on third-and-2 on the Patriots’ 3-yard line.

The Patriots were forced to punt for the first time all game when Maye’s third-down pass to Stevenson sailed wide.

The Chargers then went 15 yards on eight plays before punting themselves. Milton Williams and K’Lavon Chaisson came up with key sacks on second and third down to push the Chargers back.

Maye quickly moved the Patriots into field goal range with a 37-yard scramble before throwing away two passes to set up a 35-yard field goal from Borregales. The Patriots took a 6-3 lead into the half.

The Patriots forced a Chargers punt, and Maye was in the process of manufacturing a scoring drive before he fumbled. The strip-sack, which was recovered by the Chargers, was allowed by rookie left tackle Will Campbell.

Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III was flagged for a 26-yard defensive pass interference penalty, but the defense was still able to force the Chargers to punt.

Borregales then hit a 39-yard field goal to put the Patriots ahead 9-3 after an eight-play, 64-yard drive. Maye missed tight end Austin Hooper in the end zone on what would have been a wide open touchdown. On third-and-4, DeMario Douglas dropped Maye’s pass, leading to the kick.

The Patriots’ defense forced yet another pick, this one thanks to a beautiful pass breakup from cornerback Christian Gonzalez on second down.

The offense responded with their first touchdown of the game with Maye hitting Henry with a 26-yard MVP-caliber completion to take a 16-3 lead.

Gillette Stadium was quaking on the Chargers’ ensuing drive when Chaisson strip-sacked Herbert. Linebacker Christian Elliss recovered for the key takeaway.

The Patriots punted before forcing a turnover on downs thanks to another sack from Williams, this time on fourth-and-9.

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