The Patriots aren't just winning; they're actually making Foxborough feel like a fortress again. If you're frantically checking your phone to see what's the score in the patriots game, the short answer is: they aren't playing right now, but they just secured a massive win.
New England took down the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 this past Sunday night in the AFC Wild Card round. It wasn't the kind of high-flying shootout that keeps fantasy owners awake at night. It was a gritty, defensive masterclass that felt a lot like the old days.
The Wild Card Victory: Patriots 16, Chargers 3
Honestly, the score makes it look a bit closer than it felt by the fourth quarter. The Patriots’ defense basically lived in Justin Herbert's backfield all night. They finished with six sacks. SIX.
Drake Maye, the kid everyone's been watching, didn't have a perfect game—he threw an early interception that gave everyone a heart attack—but he showed up when it mattered. He ended the night with 268 passing yards and a crucial 28-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Henry that basically put the game on ice with about nine minutes left in the fourth.
Here is how those points actually hit the board:
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- 2nd Quarter: Andres Borregales kicks a 23-yard field goal (3-0 Patriots)
- 2nd Quarter: Cameron Dicker answers with a 21-yarder for LA (3-3)
- 2nd Quarter: Borregales hits again from 35 yards right before halftime (6-3 Patriots)
- 3rd Quarter: Borregales makes his third of the night from 39 yards (9-3 Patriots)
- 4th Quarter: Hunter Henry 28-yard TD catch from Maye (16-3 Patriots)
It was a "field goal fest" for a while there. But a win is a win, especially when it’s your first postseason victory since Super Bowl LIII back in 2019.
Defense Wins Championships (Or at Least Wild Cards)
Mike Vrabel’s influence is all over this unit. They held the Chargers to 1-for-13 on late downs. That is an absurd stat.
Herbert was under pressure on nearly 37% of his drop-backs. Zak Kuhr, who stepped in as the defensive play-caller because Terrell Williams was out with health issues, kept the Chargers guessing with a mix of blitzes that Herbert just couldn't solve.
The biggest play of the game might have been right at the start. Maye threw a pick, and the Chargers got the ball on the Patriots' 10-yard line. Most teams fold there. The Patriots' defense? They stuffed Herbert three times on the ground and then forced an incompletion on 4th-and-goal. The Bolts walked away with zero points. That basically set the tone for the entire evening.
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What's Next for New England?
Now that you know what's the score in the patriots game from the weekend, you’re probably wondering who they play next.
The Patriots (15-3) are staying home. They’ll host the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round at Gillette Stadium. This is going to be a fascinating matchup because the Texans just absolutely hammered the Steelers 30-6.
The Texans Matchup Details
The game is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Kickoff is at 3:00 PM EST.
You can catch it on ABC, ESPN, or WCVB Channel 5 if you’re local.
The Texans are coached by DeMeco Ryans and have a defense that might actually be better than New England’s right now. They finished the regular season second in scoring defense. They’ve got Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter coming off the edges, which is a nightmare scenario for any young quarterback like Maye.
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Keys to the Divisional Round
If the Patriots want to move on to the AFC Championship, they can't just rely on field goals. Drake Maye has to protect the ball better. He had two turnovers against the Chargers, and while the defense bailed him out, C.J. Stroud and the Texans won't be as forgiving as the Chargers were.
Rhamondre Stevenson needs another big day. He had a 48-yard catch-and-run that was basically the only reason the Patriots got their first points against LA. He’s the engine of this offense.
Keep an eye on the injury report. Christian Gonzalez left the Chargers game in the fourth quarter with a head injury. If he can't go, the secondary takes a massive hit against a Texans receiving corps that—even with Nico Collins' status up in the air—is still dangerous.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check the Injury Report: Monitor Christian Gonzalez’s status throughout the week; his presence at cornerback is the difference between playing man-to-man or having to drop into soft zones.
- Verify Your Local Listings: The game is on ABC/ESPN, but check your local affiliate for any pre-game coverage starting around 1:00 PM EST.
- Watch the Weather: Foxborough in mid-January is unpredictable. If it’s a snow game or high wind, the advantage swings heavily toward the Patriots' ground game and Rhamondre Stevenson.