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. But he rallied in the second and finished the day with a still meager 58.6 percent completion percentage, 259 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
It was on the defense to step up, and they did in a big way. In addition to holding the Chargers to just a field goal, they exploded for six game-changing plays, sacks, and ruined quarterback Justin Herbert's attempt at a first playoff win.
The Patriots' defense stepped up big-time and won the game
On defense, quarterback pressures and hits are measured as quantitative statistics. They are indicative of a pass rush, yet it's sacks that change games. When you get a sack, the play is over.
With a pressure or even a hit, it's not. That's wherein the major qualitative difference in impact lies.
ESPN reporter Mike Reiss noted that the Patriots' virtuoso defensive performance in sacks against the Chargers tied a team playoff record.
Via ESPN Research: The Patriots' 6 sacks ties for the 2nd-most in a playoff game in team history.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 12, 2026
In the next game in the Divisional round, hopefully, the first-playoff-game-jitters or whatever else it was that threw the usually unflappable Maye and his offense out of sync will disappear.
Regardless, the defense will still have to show up, and if they can deliver anywhere near the six sacks they did against the Chargers, they'll set the stage for a trip to the AFC Championship Game.
Sacks are game-changers, and the Patriots' defense delivered the goods against LA
Leading the sack attack with two each were K'Lavon Chiasson and Milton Williams. Anfernee Jennings chipped in with one, and cornerback Marcus Jones had the other. Chiasson's performance won't hurt his offseason opportunities, as the two sacks added to his 7.5 during the season will enhance his standing as an unrestricted free agent.
Meanwhile, Jennings may be making a statement that he may not be as much of a third-round bust as his previous performances had indicated. He may at least get himself an opportunity in 2026 in Mike Vrabel's second year in control.
Also, cornerback Marcus Jones made a statement with a sack. There seems to be little the diminutive yet explosive cornerback can't do. He's an All-Pro punt returner, a solid slot corner, and if he ever gets a chance on offense, he'll excel there, as well.
Lastly, there's Milton Williams, the team's biggest free agent offseason splash. And while he missed a few games due to injury, he hasn't disappointed one bit. His return adds a whole new dimension to the Patriots' interior defensive line.
Williams was the defensive star of the Eagles' 2025 Super Bowl win, and he picked right up where he left off against Los Angeles with two sacks. Six sacks are a statement. If the Patriots' defense continues to deliver them, the sky is the limit in the 2025 playoffs.