Patriots beat Chargers 16-3 and break NFL playoff victory streak

New England Patriots defeated Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 this Sunday, January 11, in a game valid for the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. The match took place at Gillette Stadium, at Foxborough, Massachusetts, in American local time. With the result, the franchise achieved its first victory in the postseason since January 2019 and advanced to the divisional round, where it will face the winner of the clash between Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans.

The Patriots defense exerted constant pressure on the Justin Herbert quarterback, who suffered six sacks during the confrontation. The New England offense, led by quarterback Drake Maye, produced consistent yards and took advantage of opportunities to score with field goals and a decisive touchdown.

You gotta be willing to spill some blood 😤pic.twitter.com/yZvsrT56tp

—New England Patriots (@Patriots)January 12, 2026

Performance of Drake Maye

Drake Maye completed 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards. Ele also contributed 66 yards on the ground and scored an aerial touchdown. The quarterback threw an interception and suffered a fumble, but recovered in the second half to lead the team to victory.

Maye’s run opened up spaces for the attack, especially at key moments. Sua’s performance combined precise passing with mobility, which helped maintain control of the game against a strong Chargers defense.

Patriots defense dominates the match

New England’s defensive unit limited Chargers to just 3 points, all on field goals. The pressure on Herbert prevented the visiting attack from developing long plays. Odafe Oweh stood out with three sacks, including two that resulted in fumbles.

The Patriots forced turnovers at important moments. The defense stopped the Chargers in critical situations, such as a fourth down in the red zone in the first half.

First half with defensive dominance

Defenses prevailed in the initial stage, with the score at 6-3 for Patriots at half-time. Os Chargers had chances to go for a touchdown after an interception by Maye, but they stopped on fourth down. Outra opportunity ended in a field goal, even with a first down in the end zone.

New England converted field goals to build the early lead. The match maintained a low scoring pace, with a focus on containment and avoiding errors by both sides.

Decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter

Hunter Henry caught a 28-yard pass from Drake Maye for the only touchdown of the game with 9:45 remaining. The tight end, who played for the Chargers between 2016 and 2020, increased the difference to 16-3 after the extra point. Henry finished with 64 receiving yards.

The play came after a consistent offensive sequence from Patriots. Maye’s precise pass to the corner of the end zone sealed the definitive advantage.

Chargers’s final attempts were unsuccessful

Los Angeles looked for a reaction in the final minutes, but failed to score again. Justin Herbert faced constant pressure and finished with 159 passing yards, no touchdowns or interceptions. The team struggled to protect the quarterback.

The Chargers did not overcome the defense of New England on the final drives. The game ended with another sack on Herbert, confirming the elimination of the franchise.

Presence of Gianni Infantino in the stands

The president of Fifa, Gianni Infantino, followed the game alongside the owner of Patriots, Robert Kraft. Infantino was present to observe the stadium that will host seven matches from Copa to Mundo in 2026, including games from the group stage, one from the round of 32 and one from the quarter-finals.

The Gillette Stadium, temporarily renamed from the Boston Stadium to the Mundial, will host clashes involving teams such as the Inglaterra, França, Escócia and Noruega. The visit reinforces the site’s preparation for the global event.

Patriots’s advancement in the postseason

New England awaits the winner of Steelers vs. Texans for the divisional round game. The victory represents the franchise’s return to playoff success after seven years. The team demonstrates balance between attack and defense under the technical command of Mike Vrabel.

The result highlights the growth of Drake Maye in its second season. Os Patriots remain focused on seeking further advances in the competition.