Chargers-Patriots on Wild Card Weekend Sunday: What We Learned from New England's 16-3 win

The New England Patriots advanced past Wild Card Weekend for the first time since their 2018 Super Bowl victory by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye delivered an impressive postseason debut, accumulating over 330 total yards and a decisive fourth-quarter touchdown pass. However, the Patriots' defense was the standout, relentlessly pressuring Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert with six sacks and forcing two turnovers. They also made a crucial early goal-line stand. The Patriots will host the winner of the Texans-Steelers wild-card game in the Divisional Round. The Chargers concluded their season with another wild-card exit despite recording 11 wins, marking a second consecutive year of ending their playoff run early under head coach Jim Harbaugh.