The New England Patriots gained a 16-3 win at home against the Chargers in a lackluster but still important Wild Card Week playoff win. While the offense, under MVP candidate Drake Maye, had carried the team for most of the season, it was the defense that stepped up with six sacks, tying a team playoff record in the process.
Sacks are difference-makers, and the defense delivered them.
In the low-scoring game, Maye and company had been out of sync in the first half and only regained some rhythm in the second. Maye logged only a 40 percent completion percentage in the first half, the worst of his career.