New England is headed to the divisional round.
For the first time since 2018, the Patriots have won a playoff game with their 16-3 victory over the Chargers.
The club will stay home next weekend to play the winner of Monday night’s matchup between Houston and Pittsburgh.
While neither the Patriots nor Chargers had much success offensively in the first half, New England put up a pair of field goals to go up 6-3 at the break.
But in the second half, the dam finally broke after another Patriots field goal when quarterback Drake Maye connected with Hunter Henry for a 28-yard touchdown pass to put the club up by two possessions.
From there, New England’s pash rush became that much more overwhelming for quarterback Justin Herbert. With Herbert already dealing with a fractured left hand, the Patriots registered 11 total QB hits on him with six sacks — including, poetically, on Los Angeles’ final offensive play of the night.
Herbert finished the contest just 19-of-31 for 159 yards. He was also the Chargers’ leading rusher, gaining 57 yards on 10 attempts. But those runs also gave New England more opportunities to hit Herbert.
Los Angeles finished with just 207 total yards and was 1-of-10 on third down. No Chargers receiver had more than three receptions, with Ladd McConkey leading the way with 32 yards.
Both quarterbacks were the leading rusher for his respective team, as Maye led with 66 yards on 10 carries, including a key 37-yard run that set up a late field goal in the second quarter. But Rhamondre Stevenson also had 53 yards on 10 attempts to give the offense some more balance.
Maye was 17-of-29 for 268 yards with a touchdown, interception, and a lost fumble.
Stevenson also led the club with 75 yards on three receptions. Kayshon Boutte caught four passes for 66 yards. Henry had three receptions for 64 yards with a TD.
New England’s game against the winner of the matchup between Pittsburgh and Houston will be played on Sunday, January 18.
At long last, there has been a touchdown in Sunday night’s postseason matchup between the Patriots and Chargers.
New England quarterback Drake Maye fired a 28-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give the Pats a 16-3 lead with 9:45 left in regulation.
Maye was able to evade defenders in the pocket before moving to his left and hitting an open Hunter Henry downfield for the score.
It was the first touchdown of the night, as both teams have struggled to maintain an offensive rhythm.
It was also the first postseason touchdown pass of Maye’s career.
At this point, Maye is 18-of-29 for 268 yards with a touchdown, an interception, and a lost fumble
Notably, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is questionable to return as he’s being checked for a concussion.
Neither the Chargers nor the Patriots have been able to get in much of an offensive rhythm in the first half of their wild card matchup, as the teams are tied 3-3 at halftime.
The teams have gone a combined 2-of-10 on third down — 1-of-5 each. The clubs also have just eight first downs each. New England has outgained Los Angeles 171 to 117.
The Patriots scored first, with rookie Andy Borregales connecting on a 23-yard field goal to cap a long drive early in the second quarter for a 3-0 lead.
Then Cameron Dicker came on for a 21-yard field goal, helping the Chargers cash in on a possession that went deep into New England territory after the club had failed on fourth down earlier in the contest.
Finally, the Patriots scored again to effectively close the half, with Borregales hitting from 35 yards.
Quarterback Drake Maye is 6-of-15 for 95 yards with an interception, which came on a tipped pass. Maye is also the leading rusher with 55 yards on five attempts — including a 37-yard run late in the second period.
For the Chargers, Justin Herbert is 10-of-13 for 93 yards. Keenan Allen leads with three catches and 25 yards.
On the injury front, Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis is questionable to return with a toe injury.
The Chargers will receive the second-half kickoff.
Update 9:50 p.m. ET: Davis has returned to the game to start the second half.
The Chargers were not able to take advantage of a big takeaway midway through the first quarter of Sunday’s wild card matchup with the Patriots.
After Los Angeles elected to take a delay of game on fourth-and-2 from the New England 47, the Chargers’ punt was downed at the 8-yard line to put the Patriots in unfavorable field position.
On second-and-11 from the New England 7, quarterback Drake Maye was looking for tight end Austin Hooper over the middle when the ball was tipped at the line and eventually intercepted by linebacker Daiyan Henley to set the Chargers up with first-and-goal.
After three Justin Herbert runs, the quarterback was pressured and flushed from the pocket to his right. Herbert tried to fire one to veteran receiver Keenan Allen, but the pass was well high and landed out of bounds, incomplete.
Neither team has been able to get into much of a rhythm offensively early on in the contest.
The Chargers will have one of their key offensive players for Sunday’s wild card matchup against the Patriots.
Los Angeles running back Omarion Hampton is active for the game after he was listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
Hampton, who did not play in the regular-season finale last week, tallied 545 yards with four touchdowns in the regular season. He also caught 32 passes for 192 yards with a TD in his nine games.
He was a limited participant on Friday after not participating on Wednesday on Thursday.
For the Patriots, receiver Kayshon Boutte, linebacker Harold Landry, and offensive tackle Thayer Munford are all active after they were labeled as questionable.
Los Angeles’ inactives are cornerback Isas Waxter, safety Kendall Williamson, outside linebacker Bud Dupree, outside linebacker Kyle Kennard, offensive tackle Austin Deculus, receiver Dalevon Campbell, and tight end Tyler Conklin.
New England’s inactives are nose tackle Khyiris Tonga, guard Caedan Wallace, outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson, tight end C.J. Dippre, offensive tackle Marcus Bryant, receiver Jeremiah Webb, and quarterback Tommy DeVito. DeVito is the emergency third quarterback.
