Drake Maye carries Patriots to wild-card win over Chargers

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- In a throwback to their first Super Bowl championship team in the 2001 season -- in which current head coach Mike Vrabel played an integral role as a linebacker -- the New England Patriots leaned on their defense to post a 16-3 win Sunday against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round of the AFC playoffs.

The second-seeded Patriots will face the winner of Monday's game between the No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers and No. 5 Houston Texans on Sunday (time TBD).

The Patriots took advantage of the vulnerable Chargers offensive line, recording six sacks of quarterback Justin Herbert. The Chargers were held to 207 total yards, with only 120 of them coming through the air. Better health was a factor, as this was the first game since Nov. 13 that the Patriots had three of their best players -- defensive tackle Milton Williams, linebacker Robert Spillane and outside linebacker/defensive end Harold Landry III -- in the lineup together.

Most surprising performance: The Patriots' red zone defense, which ranked 30th in the NFL in touchdown percentage allowed in the regular season, was stellar in the first half. The unit stopped the Chargers on four straight plays on first-and-goal from the 10-yard line to keep the game scoreless, then held later in the half to force a field goal attempt.

What to make of the QB performance: Drake Maye was effective as a runner but had some of his most significant struggles of the season as a passer. In the first half, he was 6-of-15, which was his worst completion percentage (40%) in a half this season. That included a tipped interception at the New England 10-yard line. And he was sacked five times.

But when he needed it most in the clutch, he delivered a beautiful 28-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Henry. Maye's ball security was also shaky in the third quarter when he was strip-sacked. But when he took off to run, the Chargers struggled to contain him, with Maye's 37-yard run late in the second quarter the second longest of his career.

Trend to watch: Injuries to starting cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez (head) and Carlton Davis III (toe). Gonzalez left the game in the second half when he was landed on by a Chargers receiver on his helmet. He didn't return. Meanwhile, Davis left the game in the first half for an extended stretch before returning at the start of the second half (and picking up an early defensive pass interference penalty). Second-year player Charles Woods is the top backup on the outside. Rookie Kobee Minor (seventh round, Memphis) also adds depth, and slot Marcus Jones could also move to the outside in a pinch.

Stat to know: The Patriots have committed multiple turnovers in two of their past four games (Week 16 at Ravens the other). They had multiple turnovers in three of their first 14 games this season.

Best quote from the locker room: Defensive

 tackle Milton Williams on splitting coach Mike Vrabel's lip in celebration after his game-sealing sack. "I was turnt. I forgot he didn't have a helmet on."