The Los Angeles Chargers lost to the New England Patriots 41-28 in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round game from Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots' offense scored five touchdowns on their first six possessions of the first half and controlled the clock for 38:20 of the game. Quarterback Tom Brady threw for 343 yards, wide receiver Julian Edelman had 151 yards receiving and running back Sony Michel added 129 yards on the ground and scored three rushing touchdowns.
The Chargers finished with 335 yards of total offense. Philip Rivers went 25-of-51 for 331 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Keenan Allen caught two passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. He also added a two-point conversion. Mike Williams and Tyrell Williams combined for 162 receiving yards.
New England struck first on a 14-play, 83-yard touchdown drive that took up over seven minutes of the opening quarter. Michel's one-yard score gave the Patriots an early 7-0 lead.
Rivers and the Chargers' offense quickly responded. Allen's 43-yard touchdown reception tied the score 7-7 after a Michael Badgley extra point. The 67-yard drive ate up just 2:53 of the clock.
That's as close as Los Angeles would get.
On their next possession, the Patriots matched the Chargers with a 67-yard scoring drive of their own. Michel's second rushing touchdown – this one from 14 yards out – put New England back on top 14-7. The Patriots had 12 first downs in the opening quarter and went 3-of-3 on third down.
New England increased its lead at the start of the second quarter with a 15-yard touchdown reception from Brady to wide receiver Phillip Dorsett. It added two more touchdowns before the half: a six-yard rush by Rex Burkhead and a five-yard rush by Michel, his third of the game.
The Chargers trailed 35-7 at halftime.
L.A. added a one-yard rushing touchdown by Melvin Gordon, a one-yard touchdown reception by Virgil Green and an eight-yard touchdown reception by Antonio Gates in the second half. Los Angeles finished the season 13-5 and 8-2 on the road, including playoffs.
