"In the low-scoring game, Maye and company had been out of sync in the first half and only regained some rhythm in the second. Maye logged only a 40 percent completion percentage in the first half, the worst of his career. But he rallied in the second and finished the day with a still meager 58.6 percent completion percentage, 259 yards, a touchdown, and an interception."
"It was on the defense to step up, and they did in a big way. In addition to holding the Chargers to just a field goal, they exploded for six game-changing plays, sacks, and ruined quarterback Justin Herbert's attempt at a first playoff win. The Patriots' defense stepped up big-time and won the game On defense, quarterback pressures and hits are measured as quantitative statistics. They are indicative of a pass rush, yet it's sacks that change games. When you get a sack, the play is over. With a pressure or even a hit, it's not. That's wherein the major qualitative difference in impact lies."
"ESPN reporter Mike Reiss noted that the Patriots' virtuoso defensive performance in sacks against the Chargers tied a team playoff record. Via ESPN Research: The Patriots' 6 sacks ties for the 2nd-most in a playoff game in team history.- Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 12, 2026 In the next game in the Divisional round, hopefully, the first-playoff-game-jitters or whatever else it was that threw the usually unflappable Maye and his offense out of sync will disappear. Regardless, the defense will still have to show up, and if they can deliver anywhere near the six sacks they did against the Chargers, they'll set the stage for"
New England secured a 16-3 Wild Card victory over the Chargers primarily through dominant defensive play. Drake Maye and the offense struggled early, completing only 40 percent of passes in the first half before rallying to finish 58.6 percent with 259 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The defense generated six sacks, tying a team playoff record, held the Chargers to a single field goal, and thwarted Justin Herbert's bid for a first playoff win. Sacks are presented as decisive plays that end possessions, and continued defensive production will be crucial in the upcoming Divisional round.
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