Chargers vs New England Patriots match player stats
By Marcus Thorne | NFL Lead Analyst
January 12, 2026 | Foxborough, Mass.
Justin Herbert stood behind center, shoulders slumping, jersey caked in mud. He’d been thrown to the Gillette Stadium turf so often it felt routine. By the final whistle, the Chargers’ franchise quarterback had absorbed six sacks, completed zero touchdown passes, and walked off another postseason field saddled with a disheartening loss. This 16–3 wild-card victory by the New England Patriots wasn’t a game. It was a 60-minute defensive lecture. For anyone hunting for Chargers vs New England Patriots match player stats, the numbers tell a clear story: the Patriots won because they bullied Herbert from snap to whistle, and Drake Maye did just enough to keep the chains moving.
A Defensive Masterclass From Start to Finish
New England’s defense held Los Angeles to a pathetic 207 total yards. Let that sink in. One of the league’s most efficient passing offenses over the last two regular seasons couldn’t march past midfield in the second half. Three different Patriots defenders sacked Herbert multiple times, and the Chargers converted just one of ten third-down attempts.
What made it so suffocating? Constant looks that confused the Chargers’ offensive line. Even with blocking adjustments, Herbert rarely had a clean pocket longer than two seconds. The Chargers vs New England Patriots match player stats highlight a defense that turned playoff hope into a nightmare.
Drake Maye’s Gutsy, Imperfect Afternoon
Drake Maye didn’t produce video-game figures. He threw a bad interception on the team’s opening drive and completed under 60% of his passes. But Maye kept drives alive with his legs, scrambling for 66 yards—the highest single-game rushing output of his rookie postseason career. One critical 37-yard scramble in the second quarter set up an insurance field goal, and his 28-yard touchdown toss to Hunter Henry sealed things early in the fourth.
The Chargers vs New England Patriots match player stats show 268 passing yards for Maye alongside that touchdown and the early pick. He wasn’t brilliant, but he was a winner. And in January, that’s the only column that matters.
Justin Herbert’s Playoff Misery Continues
Justin Herbert connected on 19 of 31 throws, picking up a quiet 159 yards through the air. He didn’t give the ball away, but he never once looked dangerous inside the pocket.. No turnovers, but no spark. For the third straight playoff appearance, he failed to reach the Divisional Round. Across all three postseason starts, Herbert has thrown only two touchdowns while being sacked 13 times, a sobering reminder that even elite quarterbacks need protection.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh kept it short: “We didn’t execute.” His quarterback didn’t disagree. The Chargers vs New England Patriots match player stats make it obvious—Herbert was under fire on 44% of his dropbacks, a rate that’s nearly impossible to overcome.
Hunter Henry Haunts His Former Team
The lone touchdown wasn’t scored by a flashy rookie or a high-priced free agent. It came from tight end Hunter Henry, who spent his first five seasons with the Chargers. Henry’s 28-yard catch-and-run off a Maye seam pass pushed the lead to 16–3 and emptied what remained of the Chargers’ spirit. He ended the night with five grabs for 68 yards and that one massive score. This was his eighth touchdown of the season, and none felt sweeter.
Kayshon Boutte’s Hamstring Heroics
Playing hurt, receiver Kayshon Boutte posted 78 yards on four catches, including a 42-yard bomb that led to the Patriots’ go-ahead field goal in the third quarter. Boutte’s ability to separate late in the down proved fatal for the Chargers’ secondary, who simply couldn’t match his burst despite the injury.
The Chargers vs New England Patriots match player stats sheet doesn’t shout his name, but without Boutte’s chunk plays, New England’s offense might’ve sputtered all night.
Andy Borregales: Rookie Kicker Stands Tall
It’s rare to spotlight a kicker in a low-scoring game, but Andy Borregales deserves mention. The rookie out of Miami nailed three field goals—from 23, 35, and 39 yards—without a hint of playoff jitters. He connected on 26 of 29 regular-season kicks, and that reliability carried into January. Every point he put on the board tightened the vise on the Chargers.
Box Score Breakdown: Chargers vs Patriots
Here’s a complete look at the Chargers vs New England Patriots match player stats in a clean, side-by-side comparison.
Game Summary
| Category | Los Angeles Chargers | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 3 | 16 |
| Total Yards | 207 | 381 |
| Passing Yards | 120 | 235 |
| Rushing Yards | 87 | 146 |
| 1st Downs | 17 | 19 |
| 3rd Down Efficiency | 1/10 | 4/11 |
| Sacks Allowed | 6 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 27:45 | 32:15 |
| Red Zone Trips (TDs) | 0/2 | 0/3 |
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
| Quarter | Chargers | Patriots | Defining Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 0 | 0 | Goal-line stand by Patriots stops Dobbins |
| 2nd | 3 | 6 | Borregales kicks 23 & 35-yard FGs after Maye scramble |
| 3rd | 0 | 3 | 39-yard FG by Borregales; Boutte 42-yard catch |
| 4th | 0 | 7 | Henry 28-yard TD catch from Maye |
Key Player Performances – Who Shined, Who Sank
New England Patriots Top Performers
Drake Maye, QB: 17/29, 268 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT; 66 rush yds.
- Kayshon Boutte, WR: 4 rec, 78 yds (long 42).
- Hunter Henry, TE: 5 rec, 68 yds, 1 TD.
- Rhamondre Stevenson, RB: 14 carries, 52 yds; 3 catches, 56 yds.
- Milton Williams, DT: 2 sacks, constant pressure.
- K’Lavon Chaisson, LB: 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble.
Los Angeles Chargers Notable Stats
- Justin Herbert, QB: 19/31, 159 yds, 0 TD; 57 rush yds.
- Quentin Johnston, WR: 4 rec, 45 yds.
- Ladd McConkey, WR: 3 rec, 32 yds.
- J.K. Dobbins, RB: 11 carries, 35 yds.
- Daiyan Henley, LB: 8 tackles, 1 interception.
Many fans checking Chargers vs New England Patriots match player stats expected fireworks from McConkey or Johnston; instead, New England’s secondary erased them.
Playoff History Now Stands 4–1 in Patriots’ Favor
The Patriots now own a 4–1 edge in postseason meetings between these franchises. The only Chargers victory dates back to 1963, when the team played in San Diego and crushed the Boston Patriots in the AFL title game. Since then, every playoff handshake has gone to New England, including the 2006, 2007, and 2018 matchups.
What Makes This Patriots Defense So Dangerous in January?
Great playoff defenses share common DNA: they hit quarterbacks, erase the run, and force offenses to play behind schedule. New England checked every box. The Chargers vs New England Patriots match player stats also reveal that Los Angeles gained zero or negative yards on 28% of their second-half snaps. That’s a percentage usually reserved for college blowouts, not NFL postseason games.
Head coach Mike Vrabel praised the unit’s “physicality and sudden-change mindset.” Those aren’t empty words; the defense stopped the Chargers at the three-yard line after Maye’s early interception, turning a potential touchdown into zero points.
6 Key Questions About the Game
1. What do the Chargers vs New England Patriots match player stats reveal about Herbert’s struggles?
He failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in his playoff career, and his top receiver managed only 45 yards.
2. How many rushing yards did Drake Maye finish with?
Maye gained 66 rushing yards on seven carries, including a 37-yard dash that flipped field position before halftime.
3. Who scored the game’s only touchdown?
Tight end Hunter Henry caught a 28-yard pass from Maye early in the fourth quarter. It was his eighth score of the season.
4. What was the Chargers’ third-down conversion rate?
Los Angeles went 1-for-10 on third downs (10%), unable to sustain drives against the Patriots’ versatile pressure packages.
5. Did any Chargers receiver break 50 yards?
Quentin Johnston led the team with 45 yards. No Chargers pass-catcher reached the end zone or threatened the Patriots’ secondary deep.
6. What record does Justin Herbert hold in playoff games?
Herbert is now 0–3 in the postseason with only two touchdown passes and 13 sacks across those losses.
Final Word: New England Sends a Chilling Message
The Chargers vs New England Patriots match player stats don’t just summarize a wild-card result. They confirm that the Patriots’ defensive identity is back. With Drake Maye managing the offense, a ground game that eats clock, and a pass rush that makes life miserable for even the best quarterbacks, this team looks built for a long playoff stay. For the Chargers, the same questions linger: can Herbert overcome broken protection schemes, and will this squad ever win a postseason game under Harbaugh? Until they fix those problems, early playoff exits will keep feeling like reruns.
Drop your take in the comments: Is the Patriots defense the most dangerous unit left in the AFC bracket?
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