NFL GAME RECAP

Patriots use all-around effort to steamroll Chargers

Lindyssports.com Staff

January 13, 2019 at 11:30 pm.

Jan 13, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) rushes against Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins (23) during the second quarter in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Photo Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 13, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) rushes against Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins (23) during the second quarter in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Photo Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Behind a three-pronged offensive attack, led by quarterback Tom Brady, rookie tailback Sony Michel and receiver Julian Edelman, New England defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 41-28 and advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the eighth consecutive season.

Brady completed 34 of 44 passes for 343 yards and a touchdown. He helped the Patriots basically put the game away at halftime after leading the team to touchdowns on its first four possessions.

The Brady-Bill Belichick combo earned their 13th trip to the AFC title game. New England (12-5) will meet Kansas City next Sunday with a trip to Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta on the line. Earlier in the year, the two hooked up for a 43-40 thriller — won by New England — in Foxborough.

“It’s going to be a good game,” Brady said about the K.C./New England sequal. “They’re a good team. We played them earlier this year. I know everybody thinks we suck and, you know, we can’t win any games, so we’ll see. It’ll be fun.”

Michel had 24 carries for 129 of New England’s 155 total rushing yards. He also added three TDs on the ground. He scored on runs of 1 and 14 yards in the first quarter and added a 5-yard scamper right before halftime to put the Patriots up 35-7.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers fell to 0-5 in games played in New England, which now includes a 0-3 postseason record. After a slow start, he finished with 331 yards passing and three touchdowns — with an interception.

Rivers mentioned Brady’s performance following the game.

“He’s up there; if not the all-time great, then one of them.” Rivers said. “That argument can go on forever. Was he rolling at the highest level today? I think we can all agree on that.”

New England tailback James White tied Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles’ postseason record with 15 catches. Edelman had nine catches for 151 yards. He also added a 7-yard run.

Fourth-year wideout Phillip Dorsett caught his first-ever postseason touchdown pass. He ended the afternoon with four catches for 41 yards.

Six-year pro Rex Burkhead added his first career playoff rushing TD when he scored from 6 yards out midway through the second quarter.

Following the game, he was quick to point out the importance of the team’s running attack.

“It was awesome to get Sony out there trucking,” Edelman said. “Rex (Burkhead) was out there, he scored. And ‘Sweet Feet’ (White) being Sweet Feet. Sony’s over there being a little horse. It was awesome.”

New England’s defense stymied Los Angeles’ running game. The unit limited the Chargers to just 19 rushing yards.

Cornerback Jason McCourty had five tackles. His brother Devin McCourty added seven tackles. Defensive end Trey Flowers added a sack. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore had an interception in the fourth quarter that quelled any hopes of a miraculous Chargers comeback. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy added four tackles.

 

 

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