For the first time since 2019, the New England Patriots are set to host a playoff game at Gillette Stadium.
Following a 14-win season, the NFL’s No. 2 seed in the AFC will welcome the Los Angeles Chargers to Foxborough. In a matchup between two MVP-caliber quarterbacks, Justin Herbert will look for his first playoff win as Drake Maye makes his first career start in the postseason.
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Follow along down below live from Gillette Stadium throughout Sunday night.
Live score: Patriots 0 : 0 Chargers
Sunday, Jan. 11, 8 p.m. ET | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA | Broadcast information | Inactives | Game day roster
First Quarter
The Chargers won the toss and deferred, putting Drake Maye and the Patriots offense on the field first. Maye picked up an initial first-down through the air to Stefon Diggs before then facing a 3rd-and-6, where LA’s defense had tight coverage leading to them getting home for a sack to force a punt.
Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense started their night with a pair of first downs before a false start and blown up wide receiver screen set them behind the sticks. Facing a 3rd-and-12, an underneath pass to Oronde Gadsden was complete but brought down short of the sticks by Carlton Davis. With the offense on the field for 4th-and-2, LA could not draw a false start and took a delay of game to punt.
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New England’s next possession started backed up at their own eight-yard line. After going backwards on a first-down run, Maye’s next attempt was deflected up into the air and intercepted by the Chargers.
Los Angeles took back over threatening at New England’s 10-yard line and two runs from Herbert set up a 3rd-and-goal from the three. From the gun, Herbert looked to escape up the middle of the pocket but was stopped for just one yard. With the offense on the field on 4th-and-goal from the two, Herbert rolled to his right and fired an incompletion to Keenan Allen with Christian Gonzalez in coverage.
Second Quarter
Following the turnover on downs, the Patriots found themselves backed up again at their own two-yard line. A check down to Rhamondre Stevenson quickly found them breathing room as the back rumbled for 48 yards to midfield. Eventually facing a 3rd-and-4, a reverse to Efton Chism saw the receiver let one go downfield to Maye which fell incomplete. The offense stayed on the field, however, and moved the chains as Maye found Kyle Williams to set up outside the red zone. New England then overcame a second-down sack as Maye found Chism for a 20-yard gain before the unit faced a 3rd-and-6 from the five — where Maye was forced into a throwaway. Andy Borregales then opened the scoring with a 23-yard field goal. [Patriots 3 : 0 Chargers]
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After a first-down run stuff by Craig Woodson, Herbert found success through the air hitting Ladd McConkey for a 20-yard gain to beat a New England blitz. Marching down field behind two more conversions and a face mask penalty on Christian Elliss put LA in the red zone. Facing 3rd-and-short from the three-yard line, a handoff to Kimani Vidal was stuffed for no gain. Cameron Dicker’s 21-yard field goal was then good. [Patriots 3 : 3 Chargers]
