Defense delivers in first playoff win since 2019
The Boston Globe••general
Key Points:
- The New England Patriots secured a 16-3 playoff victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, marking their first playoff win since the 2019 Super Bowl, powered largely by a dominant defense that recorded six sacks and limited the Chargers to just 207 yards.
- Defensive tackle Milton Williams notably sealed the game with a fourth-quarter sack on quarterback Justin Herbert, celebrating by head-butting coach Mike Vrabel, who sustained a bleeding lip but praised the team's physical approach.
- The Patriots' defense held the Chargers to an average of 3.5 yards per play, the lowest against New England in a playoff game since 1997, and tied franchise records for sacks in a postseason game, underscoring their defensive dominance despite offensive struggles.
- Rookie
