Drake Maye carries Patriots to wild-card win over Chargers

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — In a throwback to their first Tremendous Bowl championship group within the 2001 season — through which present head coach Mike Vrabel performed an integral position as a linebacker — the New England Patriots leaned on their protection to publish a 16-3 win Sunday in opposition to the visiting Los Angeles Chargers within the wild-card spherical of the AFC playoffs.

The second-seeded Patriots will face the winner of Monday’s recreation between the No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers and No. 5 Houston Texans on Sunday (time TBD).

The Patriots took benefit of the weak Chargers offensive line, recording six sacks of quarterback Justin Herbert. The Chargers have been held to 207 whole yards, with solely 120 of them coming by way of the air. Higher well being was an element, as this was the primary recreation since Nov. 13 that the Patriots had three of their finest gamers — defensive deal with Milton Williams, linebacker Robert Spillane and out of doors linebacker/defensive finish Harold Landry III — within the lineup collectively.

Most stunning efficiency: The Patriots’ crimson zone protection, which ranked thirtieth within the NFL in landing proportion allowed within the common season, was stellar within the first half. The unit stopped the Chargers on 4 straight performs on first-and-goal from the 10-yard line to maintain the sport scoreless, then held later within the half to pressure a discipline purpose try.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Drake Maye was efficient as a runner however had a few of his most important struggles of the season as a passer. Within the first half, he was 6-of-15, which was his worst completion proportion (40%) in a half this season. That included a tipped interception on the New England 10-yard line. And he was sacked 5 instances.

However when he wanted it most within the clutch, he delivered a good looking 28-yard landing move to tight finish Hunter Henry. Maye’s ball safety was additionally shaky within the third quarter when he was strip-sacked. However when he took off to run, the Chargers struggled to comprise him, with Maye’s 37-yard run late within the second quarter the second longest of his profession.

Development to observe: Accidents to beginning cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez (head) and Carlton Davis III (toe). Gonzalez left the sport within the second half when he was landed on by a Chargers receiver on his helmet. He did not return. In the meantime, Davis left the sport within the first half for an prolonged stretch earlier than returning firstly of the second half (and selecting up an early defensive move interference penalty). Second-year participant Charles Woods is the highest backup on the skin. Rookie Kobee Minor (seventh spherical, Memphis) additionally provides depth, and slot Marcus Jones might additionally transfer to the skin in a pinch.

Stat to know: The Patriots have dedicated a number of turnovers in two of their previous 4 video games (Week 16 at Ravens the opposite). They’d a number of turnovers in three of their first 14 video games this season.

Greatest quote from the locker room: Defensive deal with Milton Williams on splitting coach Mike Vrabel’s lip in celebration after his game-sealing sack. “I used to be turnt. I forgot he did not have a helmet on.” — Mike Reiss

Success for the Chargers within the Justin Herbert period has at all times been rooted in hypotheticals: If he had the fitting weapons, the fitting teaching, possibly this seemingly cursed franchise might get out of its personal manner.

Coach Jim Harbaugh was supposed to finish that cycle. As a substitute, for the second straight yr, the Chargers are heading into one other offseason with an all-too-familiar feeling.

Regardless of a protection that bailed out the Chargers again and again Sunday, a dull offense and one other poor playoff efficiency from Herbert dropped him to 0-3 in his postseason profession because the Chargers head into one other offseason through which playoff success stays an unfulfilled purpose.

Most stunning efficiency: Odafe Oweh. The linebacker, whom the Chargers acquired from the Baltimore Ravens in October, delivered maybe his finest efficiency of the season. He completed with 3 sacks, 1 pressured fumble and three pressures, repeatedly bailing out a Chargers offense that flatlined. His three sacks are a single-game postseason franchise document.

Oweh, 27, now enters free company as one of many prime edge rushers accessible and his playoff exhibiting in all probability solely strengthened his market.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Herbert did little to quiet questions on his means to steer a group to a championship. He has been wonderful all season regardless of enjoying behind the league’s worst offensive line. However on Sunday, he was uncharacteristically off. He underthrew — or did not see — open receivers, and struggled to navigate pockets that had been comparatively cleaner than most this season.

Herbert’s playoff performances stay the most important critique of his professional profession, and Sunday night time did little to alter that narrative.

Development to observe: Omarion Hampton‘s well being. The Chargers’ first-round rookie appeared in solely 9 video games this season, sitting out seven due to a left ankle sprain and one other due to a proper ankle harm. Hampton’s most up-to-date harm, suffered in Week 17 in opposition to Houston, sidelined him for Week 18 and restricted him to solely two snaps Sunday. The repeated ankle points make it honest to wonder if sturdiness might change into a long-term concern.

Greatest quote from the locker room: Oweh stated he feels just like the Chargers we’re a greater group: “And some other day, we beat them. We simply ain’t have it at present, so that is the extra annoying half.” — Kris Rhim