Patriots Dominate Chargers 16-3 in Wild Card Thriller: 8 Key Takeaways from Playoff Victory
By Sports Desk | January 12, 2026
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots punched their ticket to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs with a gritty 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card matchup on Sunday night at Gillette Stadium. It marked the Patriots’ first postseason win since their Super Bowl LIII triumph at the end of the 2018 season, signaling a resurgence under head coach Mike Vrabel.[1][3]
Drake Maye, in his playoff debut, connected with tight end Hunter Henry for a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown pass, while the Patriots’ defense relentlessly pressured Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, sacking him six times en route to the lopsided win. Andy Borregales booted three field goals for New England, who improved to 15-3 and will host the winner of the Pittsburgh-Houston matchup next weekend.[1][2]
1. Defense Sets the Tone Early and Often
The Patriots’ defense was the story of the game, stuffing the Chargers on fourth-and-2 from the New England 10-yard line on their opening drive. Herbert misfired a pass to Keenan Allen, and the unit never looked back, holding Los Angeles to just three points.[1][3]
2. Relentless Pass Rush Overwhelms Herbert
Justin Herbert faced pressure on 30 of 44 dropbacks, including six sacks by the Patriots. Free-agent signings K’Lavon Chaisson and Milton Williams each notched two sacks, with three coming in the decisive fourth quarter. Coach Vrabel praised the unit’s red-zone stands inside the 9-yard line.[1][3]
3. Drake Maye’s Poise in Playoff Debut
Maye completed 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards and added a team-high 66 rushing yards. Despite an interception and fumble, he delivered when it mattered most with the go-ahead TD to Henry. “We made plays when we had to do it,” Maye said postgame.[1]
4. Rhamondre Stevenson’s Big Plays
Stevenson’s 48-yard catch-and-run sparked New England’s first scoring drive, setting up Borregales’ 23-yard field goal. The running back’s explosiveness provided breathing room against a stout Chargers defense.[1]
5. Kicker Andy Borregales Clutch
Borregales was perfect on three attempts, including from 35 yards in the second quarter to give the Pats a 6-3 lead. His reliability kept the offense in rhythm during a game low on touchdowns.[1][2]
6. Young Roster Steps Up in Pressure Cooker
Multiple Patriots played their first playoff game, yet the team stayed composed in a contest that lacked a touchdown until late. Vrabel prepared his squad to “bleed” for the win, and they responded with poise.[1][3]
7. Injury Concerns but Resilience Shines
Cornerbacks Carlton Davis (toe) and Christian Gonzalez (head) left but Davis returned. The secondary held firm, limiting big plays despite the absences.[1]
8. Chargers’ Season Ends Flat
Despite an 11-6 regular season, the Chargers managed only a second-quarter field goal. Jim Harbaugh’s squad couldn’t capitalize on Maye’s turnovers and faltered under New England’s pressure. Their postseason run ends abruptly.[1][6]
“I thought they played extremely well,” Vrabel said of his defense. “What our defense was able to do early… really set the tone.”[3]
Looking Ahead: Divisional Round Showdown
New England, atop the AFC East at 14-3 before playoffs (15-3 now), awaits the Steelers or Texans. The win revives memories of past glory and positions the Pats as legitimate contenders in a loaded conference where Denver leads the West at 14-3.[2]
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Patriots | 0 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
This victory isn’t just a step forward—it’s a statement. With Maye growing into stardom and Vrabel’s defense peaking, New England is back in the hunt. Fans at Gillette erupted as the clock hit zero, dreaming of another deep run.
Stay tuned for updates on the divisional matchup. Patriots Nation, the playoffs are just heating up.