The New England Patriots just took down the Los Angeles Chargers with a final score of 16-3 in the AFC Wild Card round. Honestly, it wasn't the offensive explosion some fans were hoping for, but in the playoffs, a win is a win.
If you're asking what's the score of the New England Patriots because you missed the action at Gillette Stadium this past Sunday, January 11, 2026, here is the breakdown. The game was a defensive masterclass. Drake Maye, who has been looking like a legit MVP candidate all year, did just enough to move the chains. He finished 17-of-29 for 268 yards. He had a touchdown pass to Hunter Henry in the fourth quarter that basically iced it, though he did cough up two turnovers earlier in the game.
The real story was the defense. They absolutely bullied Justin Herbert. Six sacks. They held a potent Chargers offense to a measly field goal. It's the kind of gritty, "bend-but-don't-break" performance that reminds people of the old dynasty days, even if the names on the jerseys have changed.
Breaking down the Wild Card victory
People keep asking about the score because it stayed 0-0 for a surprisingly long time. It took until the second quarter for anyone to blink. After an interception gave the Chargers the ball at the Patriots' 10-yard line, the defense stood tall on a 4th-and-2 to keep them out of the end zone.
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Following that stop, the Patriots marched down the field, sparked by a massive 48-yard catch-and-run from Rhamondre Stevenson. Andy Borregales eventually knocked through a 23-yard field goal to finally put points on the board. Borregales was actually a huge part of the scoring, hitting three field goals total.
The final score of 16-3 looks dominant on paper, but it felt a lot tighter until that late Henry touchdown.
Season Recap: How they got here
This isn't just a fluke win. The Patriots finished the 2025 regular season with a stellar 14-3 record, clinching the AFC East and the #2 seed. Mike Vrabel has this team playing a very specific brand of football. They aren't always flashy, but they are incredibly efficient.
They closed out the regular season on January 4 with a 38-10 thumping of the Miami Dolphins. In that game, Stevenson was a monster, racking up 131 yards and three total touchdowns. It's clear the strategy is: let the defense suffocate you, let Stevenson grind you down, and let Maye make the big plays when they matter most.
What’s next for the Patriots?
Now that the Wild Card round is in the rearview mirror, the focus shifts immediately to the Divisional Round.
New England is scheduled to host the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. That game kicks off this coming Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST.
The Texans are coming off a 30-6 win over the Steelers, and they bring the #1 ranked defense in the league to Foxborough. It’s going to be a battle of titans. Early Vegas odds have the Patriots as 3-point favorites, but after the Texans beat New England 41-21 back in October 2024, nobody is taking this lightly.
Key Stats from the Chargers Game
- Final Score: Patriots 16, Chargers 3
- Drake Maye: 268 passing yards, 1 TD, 66 rushing yards
- Defense: 6 sacks, 3 points allowed
- Kicking: Andy Borregales (3-for-3 on FGs)
Actionable steps for fans
If you are following the playoff run, here is what you need to do to stay updated:
- Clear your schedule for Sunday afternoon. The Divisional game against the Texans starts at 3:00 PM EST on ABC/ESPN.
- Monitor the injury report. Christian Gonzalez left the Chargers game with a head injury. His availability will be the biggest factor in whether the Pats can contain C.J. Stroud.
- Check the weather. It’s January in Foxborough. If the "Gillette Winds" pick up, expect a heavy dose of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson instead of a pass-heavy attack.
- Verify local listings. If you're out of market, the game is also streaming on NFL+ and Peacock.
The road to the AFC Championship goes through New England this weekend. Based on how that defense played against Herbert, the Texans are going to have a very long afternoon.