Man, what a weekend. If you turned off the TV before the late-night slate, you missed some of the most technical, grind-it-out football we've seen in years. We’re talking about NFL football scores for sunday night that basically rewrote the script for the AFC playoffs. While everybody was busy buzzing about the high-scoring thrillers on Saturday, Sunday was a different beast entirely. It was about defense. It was about weather. It was about Mike Vrabel proving he’s still a tactical wizard.
Honestly, looking at the scoreboard doesn't tell half the story. The New England Patriots 16, Los Angeles Chargers 3 final score looks like a typo from 1994, but it was a masterclass in modern defensive containment.
The Late Game: Chargers at Patriots
Everyone expected Justin Herbert to come into Gillette Stadium and air it out. Instead, he ran into a brick wall. The Patriots' defense registered six sacks on Sunday night. Six. It was the kind of performance that reminded you why Foxborough in January is a nightmare for warm-weather teams.
The game stayed scoreless for a huge chunk of the first half. Kicker Andy Borregales finally broke the ice with a 23-yard field goal in the second quarter. That small lead felt like twenty points the way the New England secondary was playing. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Chargers looked completely out of ideas.
- Final Score: Patriots 16, Chargers 3
- Key Stat: New England held the Chargers to their lowest postseason point total in franchise history.
- The Hero: The Entire Pats Defensive Line. They lived in the backfield.
Why the Sunday Afternoon Scores Mattered for the Night Cap
You can't talk about the NFL football scores for sunday night without mentioning the absolute chaos that happened earlier in the day. The Buffalo Bills finally broke a 33-year curse by winning a road playoff game, taking down the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24. Josh Allen was playing like a man possessed, scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard "tush push" with just over a minute left.
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Then you had the NFC showdown. The 49ers went into Philly and eked out a 23-19 win over the Eagles. That game was a total slugfest. Seeing the 49ers survive that hostile environment set the tone for the Patriots' defensive stand later that night. It was a day where the "underdogs" or lower seeds really stood their ground.
Breakdown of the Weekend’s Critical Numbers
If you’re trying to keep track of the bracket, here’s how the chips fell on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Forget the fancy graphics; here is the raw data of what went down.
Buffalo Bills 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 24
Josh Allen: 273 yards passing, 1 passing TD, 2 rushing TDs.
Trevor Lawrence: 3 passing TDs, but a game-ending interception to Cole Bishop.
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville.
San Francisco 49ers 23, Philadelphia Eagles 19
A massive road win for Kyle Shanahan. The Eagles' offense just couldn't find the end zone when it mattered most in the fourth quarter.
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
🔗 Read more: Cómo entender la tabla de Copa Oro y por qué los puntos no siempre cuentan la historia completa
New England Patriots 16, Los Angeles Chargers 3
The "Sunday Night" feature. Mike Vrabel moved to 3-3 in the postseason as a head coach. The Patriots are now 4-1 all-time against the Chargers in the playoffs.
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Scores
People see a 16-3 score and think "boring." They're wrong. It was fascinating. The Patriots basically dared the Chargers to run the ball, and L.A. couldn't do it. Then, when the Chargers had to pass, the New England pass rush just pinned its ears back.
It’s easy to look at the NFL football scores for sunday night and assume the Chargers just had an "off" night. Nah. The Patriots' coaching staff took away Herbert's first and second reads all night long. It was a schematic execution that you rarely see at this level.
The Impact on the Divisional Round
So, where does this leave us? The bracket is set, and it's looking spicy.
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- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: Rematch of last year. Saturday, Jan 17.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: After the Texans absolutely dismantled the Steelers 30-6 on Monday, they have to head to Foxborough. Sunday, Jan 18.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: An NFC West rivalry in the playoffs? Yes, please. Saturday, Jan 17.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams vs. the veteran Matthew Stafford. Sunday, Jan 18.
Actionable Insights for Next Weekend
If you're looking at these results to figure out your picks for the Divisional Round, keep a few things in mind. First, don't sleep on the Patriots' defense at home. They just held a top-tier offense to 3 points. Second, the Bills are finally winning on the road. That "road jinx" is officially dead.
The biggest takeaway from the NFL football scores for sunday night is that the "old school" style of playoff football—tough defense and reliable kicking—is still the most consistent way to advance. Watch the weather reports for the Denver and Foxborough games next week; they’re going to be deciding factors just like they were this past Sunday.
Get your snacks ready for the Divisional Round. If it’s half as intense as Wild Card weekend, we’re in for a treat.
Now that the Wild Card round is officially in the books, your next move is to check the injury reports for the Bills' Ezra Cleveland and the Texans' defensive front. These injuries will play a massive role in the point spreads for the Divisional Round matchups. Keep an eye on the Wednesday practice reports to see who is actually taking reps before the Saturday kickoff in Denver.