Sunday’s Wild Card matchup in Foxborough had everything you’d expect from playoff football in January-grit, defense, and just enough chaos to remind you it’s win-or-go-home. The New England Patriots leaned into their identity and came out with a 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, advancing to the next round behind a defense that flat-out dominated.
Before we dive into the X’s and O’s, yes-one Patriots fan didn’t make it to the final whistle. A video circulating online showed four police officers carrying the fan out of the stadium, and let’s just say he didn’t go quietly. But while that may have been the most dramatic moment in the stands, the real story was happening on the field.
Defense Wins January
This wasn’t the high-flying offensive showcase some might’ve expected from a game featuring two of the league’s most promising young quarterbacks-Drake Maye and Justin Herbert. Instead, it was a throwback slugfest, and New England’s defense was the star of the show.
The Patriots held the Chargers to just three points-three. That’s not a typo.
Herbert, who’s known for his arm talent and poise under pressure, was bottled up all afternoon. He finished with just 159 passing yards and was sacked five times.
The Patriots’ front seven brought relentless pressure, collapsing the pocket and forcing Herbert to hold the ball far longer than he wanted. Coverage on the back end was just as tight-there were few, if any, clean throwing windows for the Chargers QB.
Maye’s Growing Pains-and Grit
On the other side of the ball, Drake Maye had a mixed bag of a performance. The second-year quarterback showed flashes of brilliance but also looked every bit like a young player still learning how to manage the moment. He fumbled twice, losing one, and struggled to find rhythm through the air for most of the game.
But where Maye lacked polish, he made up for it with toughness and mobility. He ran for 66 yards, picking up crucial first downs and extending drives when the passing game wasn’t clicking.
And when it mattered most, he delivered. With the Patriots clinging to a 9-3 lead in the fourth quarter, Maye dropped a dime to tight end Hunter Henry for a 28-yard touchdown-the only trip to the end zone for either team.
Stevenson Does It All
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson put together a classic do-it-all performance. He rushed for 53 yards and led the team in receiving with 75 more.
He was the safety valve when Maye needed a checkdown and the battering ram when New England needed to chew clock. In a game where every yard was earned, Stevenson’s versatility was invaluable.
A Bloody Celebration and a Statement Win
Head coach Mike Vrabel, never one to shy away from intensity, ended up with a bloody face during a postgame celebration gone slightly sideways. But it was all smiles otherwise for a Patriots team that’s starting to look like a real playoff threat. The win wasn’t pretty-Maye himself said as much-but it was the kind of performance that builds confidence in January.
“This defense was so fun to watch,” Maye said after the game. “They won the game for us.
I didn’t throw very well tonight. Need to be better.
We did what we had to do.”
And that’s the truth. The Patriots didn’t light up the scoreboard, but they controlled the game with physicality, discipline, and timely plays. That formula still works in the postseason.
Next up: a trip to Houston to face the Texans. If the defense keeps playing at this level and Maye continues to grow under pressure, New England might not be done just yet.