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10 takeaways from Patriots’ playoff win over Chargers
New England’s defense stepped up on Sunday, sacking Justin Herbert six times and holding him to just 159 passing yards.
FOXBOROUGH — For the first time since Super Bowl LIII, the New England Patriots have won a playoff game.
It wasn’t pretty, but a dominant performance from New England’s defense helped New England secure a gritty 16-3 victory over the Chargers in the AFC wild-card round at Gillette Stadium.
New England will advance to the divisional round, where it will take on either the Steelers or Texans next Sunday.
Here are 10 takeaways from Sunday’s win:
New England’s defense delivers in postseason debut
Most of Sunday’s postseason showdown was a rock fight, with Drake Maye and New England’s explosive offense routinely bottled up and unable to capitalize off several prime opportunities due to a pair of turnovers.
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A so-so night for Maye and the Patriots’ offense could have spelt doom for New England’s season, but Mike Vrabel’s club was bailed out via a dominant performance on defense.
By the end of the night, Chargers QB Justin Herbert was sacked six times and only accounted for 159 passing yards in a frustrating night for Jim Harbaugh’s club. Los Angeles was just 1-for-10 on third down, with Herbert’s longest completion of the night going for just 20 yards.
Beyond taking away several of Herbert’s top receiving options with some sticky coverage, New England’s often maligned red-zone defense also stood tall — headlined by a 1st-and-goal bid in the first quarter for LA that ended with a turnover on downs.
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Milton Williams and K’Lavon Chaisson both had two sacks apiece, while Marcus Jones and Anfernee Jennings also sacked Herbert. Rookie safety Craig Woodson had nine tackles, while Christian Elliss recovered a fumble.
For all of the talk of Maye’s playmaking prowess and its critical role in orchestrating New England’s turnaround, it was the Patriots defense that earned its flowers in this one.
If they can replicate this performance moving forward — and Maye and the Patriots’ offense clean up their mistakes — Vrabel’s team will be a tough out this postseason.
A shaky showing from Maye, Patriots offense
Sunday stood as the toughest test of the season for Maye and New England’s offense — especially against a Chargers defense that entered the playoffs holding opposing QBs to a league-worst 75.0 passer rating on the year.
Sure enough, Sunday was a bit of an uphill climb for Maye — who did dole out some damage on the ground (66 rushing yards), but also completed 17 of his 26 passes for 268 yards with one touchdown, one interception, and one fumble.
It was a rough night at the office for New England’s rookie offensive linemen in Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, with Campbell in particular getting knocked for a sack in the third quarter that resulted in a turnover for Maye
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While Maye had an up-and-down day, Rhamondre Stevenson continued his strong end to the regular season — gaining 128 total yards in the victory.
Kayshon Boutte reeled in all four of his catches for 66 yards, while Hunter Henry added three catches for 64 yards — including New England’s lone touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter.
Most of New England’s offense came off the leg of rookie kicker Andy Borregales — who was a perfect 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts.
Defense stands tall after Maye’s interception
New England was staring at an early deficit on Sunday following a critical miscue by Maye and the Patriots’ offense.
On New England’s second drive of the evening, a throw from Maye to Austin Hooper was tipped and snagged out of the air by Daiyan Henley for an interception — giving Los Angeles a 1st-and-goal opportunity from the 10-yard line.
But New England’s defense stood tall. After Marcus Jones made a great tackle on Herbert as he tried to scramble into the end zone, Los Angeles was staring at a 4th-and-2 bid. Jim Harbaugh and Los Angeles opted to run a play, with Herbert’s throw to Keenan Allen incomplete after New England dialed up a blitz.
Despite Maye’s turnover, New England’s defense delivered to keep the game scoreless — with the Patriots answering with a 14-play, 93-yard drive that ultimately ended with a 23-yard field goal from Borregales.
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A 48-yard pickup from Stevenson, fourth-down conversion by Kyle Williams, and a 20-yard snag from Efton Chism III highlighted that extended drive, but Josh McDaniels and New England’s coaching staff must have been kicking themselves that they weren’t able to cap that drive with six or more points on the board.
New England’s defense bends, doesn’t break
After New England took 6:40 off the clock with their 14-play drive that ended with a Borregales field goal, Los Angeles returned the favor with an 11-play, 56-yard drive that also sapped 6:40 off the clock in the second quarter — and was capped with a game-tying field goal delivered by Cameron Dicker.
It could have been far worse for New England after a facemask penalty against Elliss gave the Chargers a 1st-and-10 from the Patriots’ 11-yard line. But New England’s 30th-ranked red-zone defense once again stood firm — with Robert Spillane taking down Kimani Vidal on a run for no gain from the 3-yard line to force a field goal.
After Maye and the Patriots’ offense punted once again, New England’s pass rush finally woke up — with Williams and Chaisson sacking Herbert on back-to-back plays to force a Los Angeles punt.
At halftime, Los Angeles generated just 117 total net yards against New England’s defense, converting on 1-of-5 third-down opportunities.
It didn’t get much better for them in the second half.
Maye’s legs help New England take halftime lead
New England didn’t make it into the end zone in the first half, but they were able to enter halftime with a slim 6-3 lead thanks to Maye’s rushing ability.
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After New England’s defense forced a late punt, Maye and the Patriots took over from their own 46-yard line with 31 seconds left on the clock. Maye took the onus on himself to move the ball into field-goal range, gaining 37 yards on the ground off a spirited scramble and putting his team on the 17-yard line with 16 seconds to go.
That gave Borregales all he needed to eventually connect on a 35-yard field goal, giving New England the lead at the half.
Maye closed out the first half completing just six of his 15 pass attempts, but he did gain 55 yards on the ground off of five rushes.
Another turnover spoils promising drive
New England was seemingly poised to seize momentum in the third quarter after the Patriots’ defense opened the second half by forcing another Chargers punt.
Maye and the Patriots offense then marched 58 yards down the field, making it all the way to Los Angeles’ 18-yard line. But after Will Campbell was beat clean by Odafe Oweh, Maye attempted to throw the ball to avoid the sack — but was promptly strip-sacked, with Da’Shawn Hand recovering it for New England’s second turnover of the afternoon.
New England’s defense once again prevented the Chargers from seizing momentum by forcing yet another punt near midfield, but that drive represented another failed opportunity for the Patriots to at least manufacture some breathing room.
New England can’t deliver knockout punch in third quarter
New England looked as though it was finally poised to break through in the closing minutes of the third quarter after Maye and the Patriots’ explosive offensive finally started to wake up.
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Staring at a 3rd-and-13 from New England’s own 12-yard line, Maye hit Henry for a 19-yard pickup to move the chains before uncorking a deep ball down the field to Kayshon Boutte, who snagged a 42-yard pickup to flip the field for the Patriots.
On the cusp of the red zone once again, Maye had a prime bid to hit a wide-open Austin Hooper in the end zone, but he overthrew his attempt. New England had to settle for a 39-yard field gal from Borregales — who kicked the offering through the uprights to make it a 9-3 game.
Henry’s TD gives New England some breathing room
At long last, New England’s offense finally broke through in the fourth quarter.
Fresh off of another Chargers punt, New England’s offense finally started to land body punches — even though a risky throw from Maye to Boutte was nearly picked off by Cam Hart.
Staring at a 1st-and-10 from LA’s 28-yard line, Maye — protected off a clutch blitz pickup from TreVeyon Henderson — uncorked a perfect throw to Henry, who reeled in the catch and waltzed into the end zone for New England’s first touchdown of the night.
Borregales’ extra point made it a 16-3 game.
New England’s defense ices game with fumble recovery
A dominant night for New England’s defense was punctuated by a clutch turnover shortly after Maye hit Henry in the end zone.
On LA’s very next drive, the Chargers’ porous offensive line was once again shredded — with pressure generated by several Patriots players flushing Herbert from the pocket before Chaisson strip-sacked him.
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Elliss scooped up the loose ball for the fumble recovery — accounting for Los Angeles’ first turnover of the afternoon.
Maye and the Patriots weren’t able to ice the game off that turnover, but the damage was done, as New England’s defense snuffed out Los Angeles’ final drive of the night — punctuated by a nine-yard sack delivered by Williams.
Now comes waiting game
New England might have punched its ticket to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, but the Patriots are going to need to wait a bit longer to find out who they will play next week.
With the Bills beating the Jaguars earlier on Sunday, No. 6 Buffalo (as the lowest seed left in the AFC) will take on the No. 1 Broncos in Denver next weekend, while New England will take on either the No. 4 Steelers or No. 5 Texans at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 18.
Kick-off time is TBD, but will be either at 3 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.
The AFC North champion Steeler (10-7) s will play host to the Texans (12-5) on Monday night at Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium, with kick-off set for 8:15 p.m.
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LIVE UPDATES
11:04: Final: Patriots beat the Chargers, 16-3. New England is moving on.
More to come on Boston.com.
11:01: Milton Williams effectively ends this one with a nine-yard sack — forcing a turnover on downs for Los Angeles.
10:40: New England’s defense has been money all night — and they get rewarded with a strip-sack and fumble recovery.
10:36: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. Maye with a beautiful throw to Hunter Henry, who reels in a 28-yard touchdown.
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It’s 16-3 New England with 9:45 to go.
10:33: Christian Gonzalez is questionable to return with a head injury.
10:29: Risky throw from Maye, but Boutte snags it on the sidelines and runs for 16 yards.
10:28: Looks like Gonzalez is in the blue medical tent. He was shaken up on that pass breakup.
10:25: Another Chargers punt. Gonzalez breaks up a pass on 2nd down, and then McConkey is whistled for illegal shift off an incomplete throw from Herbert.
New England needs to deliver a knockout punch here.
10:19: End Third: Patriots holding a 9-3 lead over the Chargers. A rock fight all the way through in this one.
10:18: Bad luck for New England. Herbert is strip-sacked, but Vidal picks it up and rushes for 17 yards.
10:13: Borregales’ third field-goal attempt is good from 39 yards.
New England up, 9-3. Still a rock fight — and several missed chances for the Patriots to break this game open.
10:12: Oof. Maye had Hooper wide open in the end zone and overthrew him.
10:11: Kayshon Boutte gives a jolt to Gillette Stadium. 42-yard pickup down the field.
New England now on LA’s 27-yard line.
10:10: Hunter Henry moves the chains with a 19-yard snag on a 3rd-and-12.
It’s been a slog for New England’s offense, but they’re killing clock and moving the ball. Just need to capitalize and limit turnovers.
10:09: Annnnd New England’s first play is an 8-yard sack. New England’s rookie offensive lineman are struggling so far in this one.
10:06: New England’s defense once again stands tall. Barmore flushes Herbert from the pocket, and the QB sails a throw on third down. Chargers punt.
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Los Angeles has zero points to show for Maye’s two turnovers tonight.
10:02: However, THAT call against Carlton Davis is going to stand for DPI. Chargers move up 26 yards and are on their 45-yard line.
10:02: Herbert’s deep throw to Johnston is incomplete, but a flag was initially thrown. It’s picked up, so no DPI on Gonzalez.
9:58: Brutal. New England gets down to the 18-yard line, but then Maye is strip-sacked. Chargers recover.
9:55: Stevenson picks up 17 yards on a 3rd and 6. He’s turned a lot of simple dump-off throws into chunk yardage.
9:52: A Hunter Henry sighting. He picks up 17 yards. New England now on its own 45.
9:49: New England’s defense steps up again, with Marcus Jones breaking up a pass from Herbert to McConkey.
9:48: Carlton Davis is back on the field in the second half, fighting through that toe injury.
9:33: HALFTIME: Patriots lead the Chargers, 6-3.
New England’s defense has kept this team in it. Maye has shown off his rushing skills, but New England’s passing game has been uneven to start this one.
LA’s pass defense is stingy.
9:31: Borregales’ kick from 35 yards is GOOD.
New England up, 6-3, with 2 seconds left in the first half.
9:27: Maye uses his legs to scramble for 37 yards. New England has the ball on the 17-yard line with 11 seconds to go.
9:27: New England starting this drive on the 47. A great chance to try and get into field goal range.
9:25: There’s the pressure that New England has been looking for. Chaisson with a sack on Herbert and now New England will get the ball with 41 seconds left in the first half.
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9:24: Milton Williams and Christian Barmore dial up the pressure and take down Herbert. New England needed that. Now 3rd and 11 for LA with 48 seconds left.
9:21: Carlton Davis is questionable to return with a toe injury.
9:19: New England’s run defense has been stout. But Herbert is getting way too much time to throw.
9:14: Looked like Los Angeles might have fumbled, but it’s ruled an incomplete forward pass after Davis and Jennings dials up the pressure against Herbert.
9:10: Maye has been high on some of his throws so far tonight. Baringer punts.
New England’s defense will need to prevent a double-score bid here for Los Angeles.
9:08: Maye picks up 8 yards on the keeper. 1st and 10 from the 50.
9:05: Robert Spillane’s presence has been evident on these run stuffs. New England’s red-zone defense has been very strong so far.
9:02: New England’s defense bends, but doesn’t break. Dicker’s kick from 21 yards is good.
We’ve got a 3-3 game with 6:52 left in the half.
8:59: Facemask penalty on Elliss moves the ball up 15 yards. Chargers now on the 11-yard line.
8:51: Maye and the Patriots can’t punch the ball in off a 14-play, 93-yard drive — with Andy Borregales kicking a 23-yard field goal.
Patriots lead, 3-0.
8:45: End First: 0-0 game. But New England is on the 11-yard line.
8:44: It doesn’t matter, as Maye goes for it on 4th down and Kyle Williams converts for a first down.
8:43: Patriots go with a trick play off the double pass at 3rd and 4, but Chism sails a throw to Maye. Way too cute.
8:39: Given new life, Maye hits Stevenson for a 48-yard pickup. What a swing in momentum.
8:36: What a stand by New England’s defense.
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On 4th and 2 from the 2-yard line, New England blitzes and Herbert’s throw to Allen is incomplete. Huge tackle from Marcus Jones on third down as well.
Maye’s interception doesn’t lead to any points for LA.
8:33: Not good! Maye’s throw to Hooper is tipped and it’s intercepted by Henley.
1st and Goal at the Patriots’ 10.
8:29: After a few first downs, LA’s offense stalls out after Carlton Davis makes a nice tackle on Oronde Gadeden with plenty of room to run.
Somewhat surprised that LA didn’t run a player there on 4th and 2.
8:22: Danny Amendola and Logan Ryan are here to hype up the crowd. Amendola: “Foxborough, stand the [expletive] up!”
8:19: New England’s opening drive is snuffed out after Oweh sacks Maye.
Patriots are punting.
8:18: First down for New England off a snag from Diggs.
8:15: Chargers win the coin toss and defer. Maye and the Patriots offense are up first.
8:13: Playoff football is back in Foxborough.
7:58: Stefon Diggs sets the tone during New England’s pregame message:
7:32: Drake Maye and the Patriots are on the field for warmups.
7:04: Very windy conditions here at Gillette Stadium, but Andy Borregales just connected on a 59-yard kick during warmups.
6:48: Here’s the Chargers inactives. Rookie RB Omarion Hampton is a go for LA after missing the last few practices with an ankle injury.
6:46: No surprises here with New England’s inactives. Tonga (foot) is out as Vrabel noted here. Good news that a pair of Patriots who were deemed as questionable in Kayshon Boutte and Harold Landry are cleared to play.
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Tonight will also mark Robert Spillane’s first game in over a month after suffering a foot injury.
6:21: We’ve seen a whole lot of these shirts around TD Garden and Gillette Stadium over the last few weeks.
5:01: Christian Gonzalez repping Zdeno Chara as he walks into Gillette Stadium.
4:33: At the risk of looking too far ahead, the Patriots will play the winner of Monday’s Steelers vs. Texans in the Division Round if they can beat the Chargers later tonight.
With the Bills winning in Jacksonville, they will advance to the Divisional Round and will play the Broncos in Denver in the AFC Championship Game.
4:30: Greetings from Gillette Stadium!
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