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.
Justin Herbert hopes the third time will be a charm.
Now in his sixth NFL season, the Chargers quarterback will be playing his third career playoff game tonight, at New England. He’s winless in two prior trips to the postseason.
The first came three years ago, when a 27-0 lead melted into a 31-30 loss at Jacksonville. Last year, Herbert had four interceptions in a 32-12 loss to the Texans in Houston.
This year, Herbert has been playing through a broken bone in his left hand. He finished in the top 10 in passing yards (3,727) and touchdown passes (26). He had 498 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.
It all boils down to tonight. The Chargers last won a playoff game in 2018. Their current 0-3 streak started with a loss to the Patriots in the divisional round that year.
If the Chargers win, they’ll go to Denver next weekend — and the Bills will visit the winner of the Texans-Steelers game.
Football teams look for any and all motivation they can find. The Associated Press has given them a little something in advance of their first home playoff game since 2019.
The Patriots, despite going 14-3, have no first-team All-Pros. As noticed be researcher Dan Kelley, and confirmed by NBC Sports research, it’s only the second time since the AP started picking All-Pro teams in 1940 that a team that won 14 or more games had no first-team All-Pros.
The other? The 2016 Patriots, who went 14-2.
That year, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was the first-team All-Pro over Tom Brady. Of course, the Patriots ultimately had the last laugh, winning Super Bowl LI after falling behind in the third quarter, 28-3.
This year, the failure of the Pats to put any player among the first-team All-Pros could provide an extra little kick in the butt as the Patriots prepare to face the Chargers tonight.
