If you were looking for a high-scoring shootout or a classic Justin Herbert comeback story last night, I’ve got some bad news. The Los Angeles Chargers didn't play "last night" in the traditional Friday night sense, because the NFL doesn't typically run playoff games on Friday. However, the dust has finally settled on their season following their Wild Card matchup against the New England Patriots, and the result was anything but pretty.
The Chargers lost. They didn't just lose; they were effectively suffocated in a 16-3 defeat at Gillette Stadium. It was a game that felt much longer than sixty minutes, mostly because the Bolts' offense couldn't find the end zone if you gave them a map and a flashlight.
The Scoreboard Doesn't Lie: Who Won the Chargers Game Last Night?
To be perfectly blunt, the New England Patriots won. They advanced to the Divisional Round, leaving Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert to head back to Southern California to figure out what went wrong. For those tracking the "who won the chargers game last night" query, the finality of that 16-3 scoreline is the only thing that matters.
It was a defensive masterclass by Mike Vrabel’s squad.
Drake Maye, the Patriots' rookie sensation, did enough to win, but the story was the New England pass rush. They sacked Herbert six times. Think about that. Every time the Chargers seemed to get a sliver of momentum, a Patriots defender was there to snatch it away. It wasn't just about the physical hits, though those were loud. It was the psychological toll. By the fourth quarter, the Chargers looked completely out of sync.
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Breaking Down the Ugly Stats
Let’s look at why this game stayed in the "field goal fest" territory for so long.
- Justin Herbert: 19 of 31 for 159 yards. Zero touchdowns. No interceptions, but he was under fire the entire night.
- Drake Maye: 17 of 29 for 268 yards. One crucial touchdown to Hunter Henry.
- Total Offense: The Chargers managed a measly 207 total yards. You aren't winning many playoff games in the modern NFL with that kind of output.
- The Sack Count: Six sacks for 39 lost yards. Odafe Oweh was a monster for the Patriots, logging three of those sacks himself.
Honestly, the score could have been worse. The Chargers' defense actually played their hearts out for the first three quarters. Daiyan Henley was everywhere, racking up 13 tackles and an interception. They kept the game within reach at 9-3 well into the second half. But eventually, the dam broke.
Why the Chargers Offense Disappeared
Everyone wants to blame the quarterback, but that's a bit lazy here. Herbert was playing behind a line that looked like a revolving door. When you’re getting hit on 30% of your dropbacks, the playbook shrinks. Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston tried to find space, but the Patriots' secondary, led by Christian Elliss and the pressure packages from Zak Kuhr, didn't give them an inch.
The run game was non-existent. Kimani Vidal had 11 carries for 31 yards. That’s a 2.8 average. In a Harbaugh-led system, if you can't run the ball, you’re basically fighting with one hand tied behind your back.
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It’s frustrating because we’ve seen this team explode for 30+ points during the regular season. But Foxborough in January is a different beast. The cold seemed to affect the timing, and the Patriots' "bend but don't break" defense never actually bent. They forced the Chargers into a turnover on downs in the red zone early in the game, and that set the tone.
The Turning Point: That Hunter Henry Touchdown
The game was technically a one-score affair until about midway through the fourth quarter. Then, the "revenge game" narrative kicked in. Former Charger Hunter Henry hauled in a 28-yard touchdown pass from Maye. Seeing Henry celebrate against his former team—specifically against Derwin James Jr. in coverage—felt like the final nail in the coffin.
That put the Patriots up 16-3. At that point, given how the Chargers were moving (or not moving) the ball, it felt like a 30-point lead.
What This Means for the Offseason
The Chargers finished the season 11-6. On paper, that’s a great year. But in the NFL, you’re judged by what you do in January. Being "one-and-done" in the Wild Card round is going to sting for a long time.
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There are going to be a lot of questions about the receiving corps. Keenan Allen is a legend, but the team needs more explosive playmakers who can separate against elite man coverage. They also need to address the interior of the offensive line. Watching Herbert get buried by a four-man rush isn't something fans want to see in 2026.
The Bigger Picture of the NFL Playoffs
While we focus on who won the Chargers game, the rest of the league is moving forward. Today, Saturday, January 17, we have the Divisional Round kicking off. The Buffalo Bills are heading to Denver to take on the Broncos, and the 49ers are visiting the Seahawks.
The Patriots, having dispatched the Chargers, are moving on to face the Houston Texans on Sunday. It’s a tough road ahead, but they look like a team that can actually win ugly. And in the playoffs, winning ugly is still winning.
Actionable Insights for Chargers Fans
- Watch the O-Line Draft Prospectus: Keep an eye on the upcoming scouting combine. The Chargers must prioritize protection for Herbert if they want a deeper run next year.
- Monitor the Salary Cap: The Bolts have some big decisions to make with aging veterans. Expect some surprising cuts or restructures in the coming weeks.
- Evaluate the Coaching Staff: While Harbaugh isn't going anywhere, there might be shifts in the offensive philosophy. Look for news on potential new positional coaches who can modernize the passing attack under pressure.
The season is over, and it ended with a whimper rather than a bang. But the foundation is there. Now, it's just about fixing the cracks that the Patriots exposed so ruthlessly last night.
Next Steps:
If you want to see exactly how the rest of the bracket looks, you can check the official NFL playoff standings. You might also want to look at the early betting lines for the Bills vs. Broncos game happening later today to see how the AFC hierarchy is shifting after the Chargers' exit.