5 takeaways from the Patriots' Wild Card win over the Chargers
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Key Points:
- The New England Patriots won their first playoff game since the 2018 season, defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 to advance to the divisional round, largely due to a dominant defensive performance.
- The Patriots' defense excelled in red zone stops and pressured Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert 30 times, recording six sacks, including three in the fourth quarter, disrupting Los Angeles' offense throughout the game.
- Defensive play caller Zak Kuhr's complex schemes confused the Chargers, contributing significantly to the Patriots' defensive success despite the absence of defensive coordinator Terrell Williams.
- Rookie quarterback Drake Maye had a mixed performance with multiple turnovers but made key plays late, including a critical 37-yard scramble and a touchdown pass to Hunter
