The silence in the Chargers' locker room was probably louder than the Gillette Stadium crowd by the time the clock hit zero. Honestly, watching that 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots in the Wild Card round felt like a slow-motion car crash for anyone wearing powder blue. It wasn't just a loss. It was a complete offensive blackout.
If you’re looking for today's chargers game score, the reality is they aren't playing today, January 17, 2026. Their season ended six days ago in Foxborough. While the rest of the AFC is gearing up for the Divisional Round—with the Bills and Broncos playing right now—Jim Harbaugh’s squad is already back in Costa Mesa packing up their lockers.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow. Especially after an 11-6 regular season that had fans thinking this year might finally be different.
The Brutal Reality of the 16-3 Scoreboard
Let's look at the numbers because they’re ugly. Justin Herbert finished 19-of-31 for just 159 yards. No touchdowns. No interceptions, sure, but no explosive plays either. He spent most of the night running for his life, getting sacked five times for a loss of 33 yards. Mike Vrabel’s defense basically dared the Chargers to beat them deep, and L.A. just couldn't do it.
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The scoring was basically a collection of field goals until the very end.
- Second Quarter (13:32): Andres Borregales hits a 23-yarder. Patriots lead 3-0.
- Second Quarter (06:52): Cameron Dicker answers with a 21-yarder. Tied 3-3.
- Second Quarter (00:02): Borregales again, 35 yards. Patriots lead 6-3.
- Third Quarter (01:34): Borregales makes it three for three. Patriots lead 9-3.
- Fourth Quarter (09:45): Drake Maye finds Hunter Henry for a 28-yard TD. Patriots win 16-3.
That Hunter Henry touchdown was the final nail. It’s always the former Chargers, isn't it? Seeing Henry celebrate in the end zone while the Chargers' defense looked gassed was a perfect, albeit painful, summary of the night.
Why the Offense Just... Vanished
People are going to point fingers at the offensive line, and they should. Herbert’s jersey was filthy. But Kimani Vidal couldn't get anything going on the ground either, finishing with 31 yards on 11 carries. That’s a 2.8 average. You can't win playoff games in January when you're one-dimensional and that one dimension is "survival."
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Ladd McConkey tried. He caught three balls for 32 yards, but the Patriots' secondary was draped all over him. Every time Herbert looked for a window, it was already closing.
Defensive Bright Spots in a Dark Game
It’s almost unfair to the defense. They actually played well enough to win. Daiyan Henley was everywhere, racking up 13 tackles and an interception. Odafe Oweh was a monster, getting to Drake Maye for three sacks.
Holding an NFL team to 16 points should be a recipe for a win.
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Instead, the Chargers' offense stayed in the locker room. They had 17 first downs but went 1-for-10 on third down. That is the stat that kills you. You can move the ball between the twenties all day, but if you can't move the chains when it counts, you're just killing time before a punt.
What’s Next for Jim Harbaugh’s Group?
The "today's chargers game score" search might bring up the 16-3 result from the Wild Card, but the real story is what happens tomorrow. This was Harbaugh's first year back in the NFL, and making the playoffs is an achievement. But the gap between "good" and "Super Bowl contender" looked like a canyon on Sunday night.
The roster needs speed. It needs a line that doesn't let its franchise QB get hit five times in a single playoff game.
If you’re looking for football to watch today, the Divisional Round is live.
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This is the one to watch if you want to see how the AFC's best are handling the cold.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: A classic NFC West battle.
Actionable Next Steps for Chargers Fans:
- Watch the Broncos/Bills Game: Since Denver beat the Chargers 19-3 in the season finale to clinch the top seed, seeing how they handle Buffalo’s offense will give you a good idea of how far the Chargers have to go.
- Monitor the Draft Order: The Chargers will likely be picking in the early 20s. Look for mock drafts focusing on offensive tackle or a true vertical threat at wide receiver.
- Review the 2026 Opponents: The 2026 schedule is already taking shape. Expect home games against the Chiefs, Raiders, and Broncos, but also a tough draw against the AFC East and NFC West.