Wait, did you see that hit? If you tuned into NBC last night, you saw a defensive masterclass that basically sucked the air out of the building in Foxborough. We finally know who played Sunday Night Football last night, and honestly, it was the kind of game that reminds you why January football is just... different.
The New England Patriots hosted the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium for the final slot of a massive Wild Card tripleheader. It wasn’t exactly a high-flying shootout, but for anyone who loves old-school, gritty postseason ball, it was a fascinating watch.
What Happened on Sunday Night Football?
The Patriots took down the Chargers with a 16-3 win. Yeah, you read that right. Just three points for Justin Herbert and that L.A. offense. It’s kinda wild when you think about the weapons the Chargers have, but New England’s defense, led by Mike Vrabel’s scheme, looked like a brick wall.
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Drake Maye didn't need to be a hero. He just needed to not be the "other guy." While Herbert was running for his life under a relentless New England pass rush, Maye stayed composed, hitting the check-downs and letting his defense do the heavy lifting. The Patriots entered as the No. 2 seed after a dominant 14-3 regular season, and they played like a team that’s been there before.
The atmosphere in Foxboro was basically what you'd expect: freezing, loud, and incredibly hostile for a West Coast team.
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The Game by the Numbers
- Final Score: Patriots 16, Chargers 3
- Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
- The Broadcasters: Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth (with Melissa Stark on the sidelines)
- The Stakes: A trip to the Divisional Round
Honestly, the most surprising part wasn't the win—it was how much the Chargers struggled to move the chains. They finished 11-6 in the regular season and looked like a dangerous wild card, but they just couldn't find a rhythm.
Why the Sunday Night Slot Mattered
This wasn't just another game. Because the NFL expanded the playoffs, the Sunday night game has become the crown jewel of the Wild Card weekend. It’s the game everyone talks about on Monday morning at the coffee machine.
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Last night’s game also debuted a brand-new graphics package for NBC. If the score bug looked a little different to you, that’s why. It felt sleek, though some fans on social media were—as usual—split on whether they liked the change.
What’s Next for the Patriots?
Now that the Wild Card round is mostly in the rearview (save for the Monday night clash), the bracket is taking shape. The Patriots are moving on to the Divisional Round where they’ll host the Houston Texans next Sunday, January 18th.
That’s going to be a massive test. The Texans are coming off a dominant showing and won't be as easy to shut down as the Chargers were last night.
How to Prepare for Next Week
- Check the Kickoff: The Patriots vs. Texans game is set for 3:00 PM ET on Sunday. It’s not a night game this time!
- Watch the Other Side: Keep an eye on the Rams and Bears game later that evening (6:30 PM ET on NBC) to see who might be looming in the NFC.
- Recovery Time: If you're a New England fan, enjoy the fact that your team is healthy. No major injuries were reported coming out of last night, which is basically a miracle in the playoffs.
Basically, the road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow. Last night proved that New England’s defense is legit, but they’ll need more than 16 points if they want to get past the next round.