FOXBOROUGH, Mass., (AP) 鈥� Patriots coach Mike Vrabel left his team鈥檚 over the Los Angeles Chargers with his face literally bloodied, but an unshaken confidence in his team.
He鈥檚 optimistic because although there were some shortcomings by an offense that has sustained his team this season, he believes the Patriots played with a physicality on defense that has arrived at the perfect time.
New England limited the Chargers to 207 total yards, the ninth time this season it held an opponent to fewer than 300 yards. The Patriots’ six sacks tied for the second-most in franchise playoff history.
鈥淓verybody played. Everybody contributed,鈥� Vrabel said. 鈥淕uys went down. Other guys went in there and stepped up. We play a lot of guys on defense. I think they all appreciate that. I think they all have roles.鈥�
Defensive tackle Milton Williams said the Patriots’ success is a function of them not making things too complicated.
鈥淲e have been doing this all our lives. Keep it simple. We do not need any superhero, superhuman effort from anybody,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淛ust go out there and do your job and be where you are supposed to be. The rest is going to take care of itself.鈥�
Next up is the Patriots鈥� first trip to the divisional round since their run to the franchise’s sixth Super Bowl title in the 2018 season.
鈥淭here has been legacy here for a minute, and we are trying to get our own,鈥� safety Marcus Jones said.
What鈥檚 working
After an uneven performance in the regular-season finale, a win over Miami, New England鈥檚 defense was playoff-ready, putting pressure on while keeping his wide receivers bottled up for most of the night. The Chargers, who led the NFL this season with 115 third-down conversions, went 1 of 10 on third down.
What needs help
New England鈥檚 offense was 4 of 11 on third down and 0 for 3 in the red zone against the Chargers. Those rates will need to improve if the Patriots want to advance to the AFC championship game.
Stock up
Williams. In his second game back from a five-game stint on injured reserve with an ankle injury, he played some of his best football of the season. His two sacks tied his career playoff high, which he set in last season鈥檚 Super Bowl win while playing for Philadelphia.
Stock down
LG Jared Wilson, who missed the last two games while in the concussion protocol, struggled in his first game back. He gave up two of the five sacks and four of the five hurries allowed by the Patriots.
Injuries
Vrabel said CB Christian Gonzalez was not allowed to reenter the game after leaving with a head injury and has since been placed in the concussion protocol.
鈥淲herever that goes, that goes,鈥� Vrabel said. 鈥淗opefully we鈥檒l get him back.鈥�
Key number
2 鈥� With 38 playoff wins in their history, the Patriots have sole possession of second place on the NFL鈥檚 postseason victory list behind San Francisco with 39.
Next steps
The Patriots host Houston in the divisional round. They haven’t played the Texans since losing to them last season.
___
AP NFL:
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
