The New England Patriots built a 35-7 halftime lead Sunday afternoon, and rolled to an AFC Divisional playoff win 41-28 over the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
New England (12-5) scored on their first four possessions. Sony Michel finished off a 14 play, 75 yard drive to start things with a one yard score to make it 7-0 Patriots. LA (13-5) came right back when Phillip Rivers hit Keenan Allen for a 43 yard score to make it 7-7. Michel scored again from 14 yards to put New England back up 14-7 after one quarter. Phillip Dorsett caught a 15 yard touchdown from Tom Brady early in the second quarter, and Rex Burkhead made it 4-4 on possessions with touchdowns scoring from six yards out also in the second quarter to make it 28-7. After the Patriots were finally forced to punt, Chargers return man Desmond King fumbled, New England recovered, and Michel scored his third touchdown of the half from five yards to give the Pats a 28 point halftime lead.
Stephen Gostkowski hit a pair of third quarter field goals for the hosts, while Melvin Gordon scored on a short run for the Chargers. Los Angeles got another score with about seven minutes left in the fourth when Rivers found Virgil Green for a short touchdown pass, and also converted a two point conversion. Rivers connected with long time tight end Antonio Gates from eight yards with only 59 seconds left to finish the scoring on the day.
Brady finished the day 34-44 passing, 343 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. Michel rushed 24 times for 129 yards, and had the three big first half touchdowns. Julian Edelman had a huge game with nine catches for 151 yards, while James White caught 15 passes for 97 yards. Devin McCourty had seven total tackles, while Justin McCourty had five. Rivers went 25-51, 331 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The Chargers only rushed for 19 yards. Tyrell Williams led the receiving core with five catches for 94 yards. Jahleel Addae had 12 tackles.
New England now heads to Kansas City, Missouri and Arrowhead Stadium to face the 13-4 Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game next Sunday at 6:40 p.m. The Patriots will be playing in their eighth straight AFC title game, and will try to make team history by advancing to their third straight Super Bowl. New England won an earlier week 6 matchup with the Chiefs in Foxboro 43-40.
