Maye 'picked up' by protection in Patriots wild card win over Chargers

[ad_1] Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Drake Maye admitted he was "picked up by" defensive teammates, resulting in a New England Patriots gritty wild card win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Patriots move rushers totaled six sacks, together with two apiece from linebacker Ok'Lavon Chaisson and defensive deal with Milton Williams, within the 16-3 triumph Sunday in Foxborough, Mass. Chaisson additionally logged a compelled fumble.

Commercial

"It wasn't my greatest, however that is why you've got teammates," mentioned Maye, who accomplished 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards and a rating, but in addition threw an interception and misplaced a fumble.

"These guys picked me up."

<img alt="Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is tackled by New England linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) in the fourth quarter of an NFL wild card playoff game Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Photo by Amanda Sabga/UPI" loading="lazy" width="800" height="532" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="standard-img" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/QVdF2PQqXh7GWKITTc1cPg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYzODtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/united_press_international_articles_356/021364e206fd3783c7a7676dc4e64b3c"/> Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is tackled by New England linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) within the fourth quarter of an NFL wild card playoff sport Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Picture by Amanda Sabga/UPI

The second-seeded Patriots held the No. 7 Chargers to only 207 whole yards, however held an edge in time of possession of lower than 5 minutes and misplaced the turnover battle.

However in addition they scored the lone landing of the evening at Gillette Stadium.

<img alt="New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry celebrates after catching a 28-yard pass for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter of an NFL wild card playoff game Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Photo by Amanda Sabga/UPI" loading="lazy" width="800" height="534" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="standard-img" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U_UWla63TBgbaA6gGMGCMw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/united_press_international_articles_356/1af5218a85129aab77e56f78ff9587a5"/> New England Patriots tight finish Hunter Henry celebrates after catching a 28-yard move for a landing in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers within the fourth quarter of an NFL wild card playoff sport Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Picture by Amanda Sabga/UPI

Maye persistently turned to his legs when the Chargers pushed the Patriots offense backwards, operating for 4 first downs, together with a 37-yard scamper.

Commercial

The Patriots (15-3) will host the No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) or No. 5 Houston Texans (12-5) within the divisional spherical subsequent weekend in Foxborough. The winner will advance to the AFC Championship Recreation.

<img alt="New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) after a gain of 5 yards in the third quarter of an NFL wild card playoff game Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Photo by Amanda Sabga/UPI" loading="lazy" width="800" height="534" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="standard-img" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/RR4gb0_NcObEPbT_xaWyNg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/united_press_international_articles_356/cf790afeca0cc6766ea794fafd7dfe5d"/> New England Patriots operating again Rhamondre Stevenson (38) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) after a acquire of 5 yards within the third quarter of an NFL wild card playoff sport Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Picture by Amanda Sabga/UPI

"We began the week off saying 'the massive canines present up in January,'" Patriots defensive deal with Milton Williams mentioned. "I used to be simply preaching that to our group all week.

"It is on us. ... We will management the sport."

An early turnover may have doomed the Patriots, if not for his or her stingy protection. Chargers defensive deal with Teair Tart deflected Maye's first move of the Patriots' second drive, sending the ball into the air and finally into the palms of linebacker Daiyan Henley. However the Patriots protection stood tall whereas deep in their very own territory, forcing a fourth-down incompletion from quarterback Justin Herbert.

Commercial

Patriots kicker Andy Borregales made a 23-yard area aim on the ensuing possession for the primary factors of the evening. Kicking counterpart Cameron Dicker made a 21-yard try on the subsequent drive, which proved to be the Chargers' solely factors of the evening.

Borregales made a 35-yard area aim within the last seconds of the second quarter for a 6-3 Patriots lead on the break. Maye misplaced a fumble on the Patriots' first drive of the second half, however the Chargers offense stalled.

Borregales break up the uprights for a 3rd time with a 39-yard kick with 1:34 remaining within the third quarter.

The Chargers offense picked up one first down, however punted once more on the next possession. Maye then discovered tight finish Hunter Henry with a 28-yard landing toss to assist the Patriots construct their last benefit.

Patriots defenders swarmed Herbert on the subsequent drive, with Chaisson forcing a fumble, which was recovered by linebacker Christian Eliss. That play was certainly one of three sacks of Herbert within the fourth quarter.

Commercial

The Patriots offense stalled minutes later, giving the Chargers quarterback yet another shot, however he didn't covert one other fourth down with about two minutes remaining.

Herbert accomplished 19 of 31 passes for 159 yards. He additionally ran for 57 yards on 10 carries. Chargers operating again Kimani Vidal totaled simply 31 yards on 11 carries. Linebacker Odafe Oweh logged three sacks within the loss.

Cornerback Marcus Jones and linebacker Anfernee Jennings every registered sacks for the Patriots. Jones additionally compelled a fumble. Maye ran for 66 yards, along with his 268 passing yards. Operating again Rhamondre Stevenson totaled 128 yards from scrimmage on 13 touches.

The Steelers will host the Texans within the last wild card sport of the postseason at 8:15 p.m. EST Monday in Pittsburgh. The AFC matchup will air on ESPN and ABC.