New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye tries to get away from the Los Angeles Chargers defense in the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff game Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Photo by Amanda Sabga/UPI
Jan. 12 (UPI) — Drake Maye admitted he was “picked up by” defensive teammates, leading to a New England Patriots gritty wild card win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Patriots pass rushers totaled six sacks, including two apiece from linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson and defensive tackle Milton Williams, in the 16-3 triumph Sunday in Foxborough, Mass. Chaisson also logged a forced fumble.
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“It wasn’t my best, but that’s why you have teammates,” said Maye, who completed 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards and a score, but also threw an interception and lost a fumble.
“Those guys picked me up.”
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is tackled by New England linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) in the fourth quarter of an NFL wild card playoff game Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Photo by Amanda Sabga/UPI
The second-seeded Patriots held the No. 7 Chargers to just 207 total yards, but held an edge in time of possession of less than five minutes and lost the turnover battle.
But they also scored the lone touchdown of the night at Gillette Stadium.
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry celebrates after catching a 28-yard pass for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter of an NFL wild card playoff game Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Photo by Amanda Sabga/UPI
Maye consistently turned to his legs when the Chargers pushed the Patriots offense backwards, running for four first downs, including a 37-yard scamper.
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The Patriots (15-3) will host the No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) or No. 5 Houston Texans (12-5) in the divisional round next weekend in Foxborough. The winner will advance to the AFC Championship Game.
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) after a gain of 5 yards in the third quarter of an NFL wild card playoff game Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Photo by Amanda Sabga/UPI
“We started the week off saying ‘the big dogs show up in January,'” Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams said. “I was just preaching that to our group all week.
“It’s on us. … We can control the game.”
An early turnover could have doomed the Patriots, if not for their stingy defense. Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart deflected Maye’s first pass of the Patriots’ second drive, sending the ball into the air and eventually into the hands of linebacker Daiyan Henley. But the Patriots defense stood tall while deep in their own territory, forcing a fourth-down incompletion from quarterback Justin Herbert.
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Patriots kicker Andy Borregales made a 23-yard field goal on the resulting possession for the first points of the night. Kicking counterpart Cameron Dicker made a 21-yard attempt on the next drive, which proved to be the Chargers’ only points of the night.
Borregales made a 35-yard field goal in the final seconds of the second quarter for a 6-3 Patriots lead at the break. Maye lost a fumble on the Patriots’ first drive of the second half, but the Chargers offense stalled.
Borregales split the uprights for a third time with a 39-yard kick with 1:34 remaining in the third quarter.
The Chargers offense picked up one first down, but punted again on the following possession. Maye then found tight end Hunter Henry with a 28-yard touchdown toss to help the Patriots build their final advantage.
Patriots defenders swarmed Herbert on the next drive, with Chaisson forcing a fumble, which was recovered by linebacker Christian Eliss. That play was one of three sacks of Herbert in the fourth quarter.
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The Patriots offense stalled minutes later, giving the Chargers quarterback one more shot, but he failed to covert another fourth down with about two minutes remaining.
Herbert completed 19 of 31 passes for 159 yards. He also ran for 57 yards on 10 carries. Chargers running back Kimani Vidal totaled just 31 yards on 11 carries. Linebacker Odafe Oweh logged three sacks in the loss.
Cornerback Marcus Jones and linebacker Anfernee Jennings each registered sacks for the Patriots. Jones also forced a fumble. Maye ran for 66 yards, in addition to his 268 passing yards. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson totaled 128 yards from scrimmage on 13 touches.
The Steelers will host the Texans in the final wild card game of the postseason at 8:15 p.m. EST Monday in Pittsburgh. The AFC matchup will air on ESPN and ABC.
