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The Mike Vrabel-Drake Maye era for the New England Patriots continues to get off to an outstanding start.
The first-year Patriots coach and his second-year quarterback came out on top of their debut playoff game on Sunday night, taking down the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3. Vrabel’s defense was the biggest story, as Justin Herbert had a miserable time attempting to keep L.A. in the wild-card matchup, being sacked six times.
In a game that was shy of offense for both squads, Maye made just enough big plays to keep New England rolling into the postseason. The first touchdown of the night, a Maye pass to tight end Hunter Henry, didn’t come until the fourth quarter. By then, New England had already done more than enough to send Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers packing for the offseason.
After their massive one-year turnaround from 4-13 to 14-3, the Patriots have won their first playoff game since Tom Brady was around. Now, as their Super Bowl dreams remain alive, they’ll be heading to the divisional round against the winner of the Houston Texans–Pittsburgh Steelers matchup on Monday night.
The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from the AFC Wild Card matchup between the Patriots and Chargers on Sunday night. Here’s how New England rode a dominant defensive night to advance.
MORE: Where did Patriots-Chargers fall among the lowest-scoring playoff games ever?
NFL PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NFL scores | Full NFL schedule | Updated NFL bracket
Patriots vs. Chargers updates, highlights from 2026 NFL wild-card playoff game
All times ET.
Final: Patriots 16, Chargers 3
11:04 p.m. — The Patriots advance to the divisional round, while the Chargers’ season ends in rough fashion. Mike Vrabel has his first playoff win with New England.
11:02 p.m. — That should do it. Milton Williams notches the Patriots’ sixth sack of the day on fourth down, throwing down Herbert to seal a playoff victory.
Just too easy for Milton Williams 💪
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
10:59 p.m. — At the two-minute warning, the Chargers are still driving down the field, scraping together whatever offense they can get. Barring a massive turnaround, the Patriots will be moving on.
10:55 p.m. — The Chargers are in a hurry-up offense, just trying to get what they can, trailing by two scores. Time is ticking away.
10:52 p.m. — Another Patriots sack. The Pats’ fifth of the night comes on another third down, as Herbert is taken down again. It’s been a miserable night for the Chargers’ offense. Around four minutes remain.
10:46 p.m. — There was a near-disaster for the Patriots; Maye fumbled on third down, but New England jumps on it before it can become a wild Chargers defensive score. Instead, the Patriots punt the ball back.
Offensive lineman Jared Wilson saves the day 😤
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
10:41 p.m. — Things are not going well for the Chargers. Justin Herbert fumbles the ball away on yet another sack, the Patriots’ fourth of the night. New England is eight minutes away from advancing, as long as it can take care of the ball and not allow any miracles to happen for L.A.
Patriots sack!
Patriots fumble!
Patriots ball!
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026Patriots 16, Chargers 3
10:36 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Finally! Drake Maye comes through with a nice throw to Hunter Henry, and the Patriots extend their lead. Unless the Chargers can completely turn things around, getting hot in the fourth quarter, it appears New England has done enough to advance to the next round of the playoffs.
The first touchdown of the game comes in the fourth quarter, and Maye helps mask his turnover issues with a nice play.
HUNTER HENRY MAKES IT A TWO-SCORE GAME
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
10:30 p.m. — New England moves the chains twice as it attempts to drain clock and potentially extend its lead in the fourth quarter.
10:25 p.m. — Keenan Allen drops a ball on third down, ending L.A.’s threat. It’s another punt for Harbaugh, and time is running out for the Chargers to make some noise.
End of third quarter: Patriots 9, Chargers 3
10:20 p.m. — Can the Chargers finally find some offense? As we head to the final quarter of this defensive showcase, L.A. has the ball for a first down near midfield. They need a touchdown to take the lead. Neither quarterback has thrilled in this one, but Drake Maye has been effective enough with a few nice throws and scrambles despite a low completion rate.
10:19 p.m. — Somehow, the Chargers turn a near-disaster into one of their best gains of the day. Herbert fumbled on another sack, but Kimani Vidal recovers it and turns it into a 15-yard pickup.
Just how they drew it up 😅
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026Patriots 9, Chargers 3
10:14 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Just when you think there may be a touchdown in this game, the Chargers get more big stops. The Patriots settle for a field goal (again), extending their lead to 9-3.
10:12 p.m. — Finally, a big play. Maye hits Kayshon Boutte, who turns and runs for 42 yards to give the Patriots something to work with.
KAYSHON BOUTTE FOR 42 YARDS
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
10:08 p.m. — For the fourth time today, Los Angeles punts. The Patriots have provided little-to-no room defensively for the Chargers to build a rhythm.
10:05 p.m. — A defensive pass interference call gives the Chargers 22 yards as they look to tie or take the lead.
9:59 p.m. — Put the Patriots’ momentum on pause. Maye fumbles on a sack, coughing the ball up as Odafe Oweh notches his second sack of the day. The Chargers pounce on the ball, taking over with a huge break after New England marched toward the red zone.
Odafe Oweh knocks it loose!
Da’Shawn Hand recovers!
Chargers ball ⚡️
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
9:57 p.m. — The Patriots have something cooking offensively again, as Maye had a 17-yard pass to Hunter Henry, a 17-yard pass to Stevenson and a third-down run to pick up the first down. New England is looking to find the end zone for the first time today.
Drake Fake!
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
9:51 p.m. — Mike Vrabel’s defense does its job to open the third quarter, as the Chargers can’t pick up more than three yards before punting. Maye, who had the lowest first-half completion percentage of his career in this game, will get the ball.
9:48 p.m. — The Chargers will begin the second half with the ball.
9:34 p.m. — The Patriots’ six points is tied for their season-low in the first half. Maye finished the half at 6-for-15 with 95 yards and the interception, while Herbert has gone 10-for-13 for 98 yards. Both quarterbacks have made an impact with their legs, despite no touchdowns.
Halftime: Patriots 6, Chargers 3
9:30 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The Patriots tack on a few more points to take the lead before halftime, still unable to get in the end zone, but taking another field goal. Maye set it up with the long scramble, and that’s been the difference so far with both defenses playing a nice game.
9:29 p.m. — With time ticking down, Maye goes for a long run, picking up 37 yards with his legs to set up New England for at least a field goal before halftime. The quarterback is his team’s leading rusher so far with 55 yards.
Drake Maye running!
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
9:23 p.m. — Los Angeles attempted to put together a strong drive before halftime, but it stalls out not long after Herbert picked up a key first down on the ground. He’s sacked twice in a row soon after, resulting in a punt. New England has three QB hits so far.
Second sack of the drive from the @Patriots defense 💪
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
9:15 p.m. — Herbert awkwardly lets the ball go deep in his own territory to open the Chargers’ drive, but he gets away with it, as it’s ruled an incomplete pass. He had made a little toss while under pressure by the Patriots.
9:12 p.m. — A Maye scramble moved the chains for New England once, but that’s all the Patriots will get, as they punt. Under four minutes remain in the half, and the Chargers have a chance to take the lead.
Drake Maye taking care of the first down himself
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026Patriots 3, Chargers 3
9:03 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The Chargers respond with a long drive of their own, going 11 plays before a short-range field goal from Cameron Dicker. So far, Herbert is 7-9 for 67 yards, and he has L.A. tied here in the first half.
Patriots 3, Chargers 0
8:52 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The Chargers’ defense bends but doesn’t break. The first points of the game come on a 23-yard field goal from Andy Borregales, as the Patriots take a 3-0 lead after a lengthy drive.
8:47 p.m. — New England continues to stampede toward the red zone, as Efton Chism moves the chains on a long second down.
Final play of the quarter is a first down on 2nd and 18 by Efton Chism!
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026End of first quarter: Patriots 0, Chargers 0
8:45 p.m. — The Patriots are in the middle of a long drive down the field as we finish the first quarter. Defense has been the story, as both sides have gotten nice stops already.
8:43 p.m. — New England tried some trickery, with Maye being targeted for a potential first down, but the throw was just out of the reach of the star quarterback.
Pats tried the trick play pass to Drake Maye 😅
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
8:40 p.m. — Rhamondre Stevenson starts the Patriots’ drive with a huge 48-yard gain on the ground.
From the goal line to midfield!
Big gain for Rhamondre Stevenson 😤
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
8:37 p.m. — Now, the Patriots’ defense makes a statement. Despite Herbert getting the ball inside the 10-yard line, the Chargers fail to score, as Harbaugh went for the touchdown on 4th & Goal. New England makes a stand, and we remain scoreless.
Turnover on downs!
Now it’s the @Patriots defense making an impact 😤
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
8:33 p.m. — The Chargers’ defense is all over Drake Maye already, and it results in a wild tipped interception. Daiyan Henley comes away with the ball deep into Patriots territory, and Herbert is set up beautifully to score first.
TIPPED AND INTERCEPTED BY DAIYAN HENLEY
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
8:25 p.m. — Nothing’s there for Justin Herbert to open this playoff game, either. L.A. punts on its opening drive.
8:20 p.m. — The Chargers’ defense gets off to a hot start, sacking Drake Maye on third down to force a punt. Strong tone-setter for Jim Harbaugh’s unit.
Odafe Oweh gets the sack!
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026Pregame
8:15 p.m. — It’s playoff time in New England. The Patriots will begin with the ball.
7:34 p.m. — Drake Maye is ready for his playoff debut.
Drake “Playoff Debut” Maye
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026
6:50 p.m. — Drake “Drake Maye” Maye has become a sensation.
The @drakemayeloverr impact in Foxborough.
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— NFL (@NFL) January 11, 2026
6:49 p.m. — Here are the Patriots’ inactives tonight.
Patriots inactives for #LACvsNE. pic.twitter.com/KfTXRDjU0G
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 11, 2026
6:48 p.m. — Omarion Hampton is officially active for the Chargers after coming into tonight’s playoff game as questionable.
our inactives for #LACvsNE
CB Isas Waxter
S Kendall Williamson
OLB Bud Dupree
OLB Kyle Kennard
OT Austin Deculus
WR Dalevon Campbell
TE Tyler Conklin
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 11, 2026
MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFFS:
Where to watch Patriots vs. ChargersPatriots vs. Chargers start timeDate: Sunday, January 11Start time: 8 p.m. ET
The Patriots and Chargers will kick off in their Wild Card Weekend matchup at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 11.
The game will be played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
What channel is Patriots vs. Chargers on today?TV channel: NBCLive stream: Peacock
Sunday night’s wild-card meeting between New England and Los Angeles will air nationally on NBC. It will be the final wild card game of the day, following Bills–Jaguars at 1 p.m. ET and 49ers–Eagles at 4:30 p.m. ET
NBC’s usual “Sunday Night Football” booth of Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will be calling the Patriots vs. Chargers matchup.
Fans looking to stream the playoff game can turn to Peacock.
NFL playoff schedule 2026Wild-card round
Saturday, Jan. 10
MatchupTime (ET)TV channelRams vs. Panthers4:30 p.m.FoxPackers vs. Bears8 p.m.Amazon Prime Video
Sunday, Jan. 11
MatchupTime (ET)TV channelBills vs. Jaguars1 p.m.CBS49ers vs. Eagles4:30 p.m.FoxChargers vs. Patriots8:15 p.m.NBC
Monday, Jan. 12
MatchupTime (ET)TV channelTexans vs. Steelers8:15 p.m.ESPN/ABCDivisional round
Saturday, Jan. 17
MatchupTime (ET)TV channelTBD4:30 p.m.TBDTBD8:15 p.m.TBD
Sunday, Jan. 18
MatchupTime (ET)TV channelTBD3 p.m.TBDTBD6:30 p.m.TBDConference championships
Sunday, Jan. 25
MatchupTime (ET)TV channelTBD (AFC)3 p.m.CBSTBD (NFC)6:30 p.m.FoxSuper Bowl 60
Sunday, Feb. 8
MatchupTime (ET)TV channelTBD6:30 p.m.NBC