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Patriots Beat Chargers 16–3 Behind Six-Sack Defense as Vrabel Bloodied in Williams Celebration

New England will host the Steelers or Texans next weekend after its first playoff victory since the Super Bowl LIII season.

Overview

  • Defensive tackle Milton Williams clinched the win with a fourth-and-9 sack of Justin Herbert late in the fourth quarter.
  • While celebrating the play on the sideline, Williams’ helmet split Mike Vrabel’s lip; the coach laughed it off and echoed his pregame message about being willing to “spill some blood.”
  • New England’s defense produced six sacks and limited Los Angeles to 207 total yards at 3.5 yards per play.
  • Vrabel credited linebackers coach Zak Kuhr for calling the defense in Terrell Williams’ absence and praised the unit’s red-zone stand after an early Patriots turnover.
  • Rookie QB Drake Maye overcame two turnovers as Andy Borregales kicked three field goals before a late Maye-to-Hunter Henry touchdown put the game out of reach.