What is the story about?
TEAM
TALK
- Evan Lazar shares his initial analysis of the Patriots hosting the Texans in the Divisional Round at Gillette Stadium, Sunday at 3 pm. ‘Houston blew open the game in the fourth quarter to earn a 30-6 win over the Steelers on Monday night.’
- Evan Lazar’s After Further Review: How the defense shut down Justin Herbert; Drake Maye breakdown and quick-hit film notes from Pats-Chargers. “Josh McDaniels vs. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was as good as it gets from two elite schemers.”
- Roster Moves: Released: RB D’Ernest Johnson from 53-man roster and T Sebastian Gutierrez from the practice squad.
- Transcript: Mike Vrabel (Plus 15 min. video)
- Press Conferences: Anfernee Jennings, Garrett Bradbury, and Andy Borregales.
- WEEI Patriots Monday: Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye.
- Highlights: Big dogs show up in January – Defense handles business vs. Chargers. (1 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Andrew Callahan’s Patriots film review: How Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel’s defense broke the Chargers.
- Jerry Thornton shares his knee-jerk reactions to the Pats-Chargers Wild Card playoff win. “Enjoy this, my friends. And I don’t just mean the Patriots recording their first postseason win since Super Bowl LIII. I’m talking about the fact that it’s not every season you get to beat two different Harbaugh brothers.”
- Conor Ryan gives us 10 takeaways from playoff win over the Chargers. 1. New England’s defense delivers.
- Karen Guregian says defense wins championships, and the Patriots just proved they might have one.
- Matt Vautour writes the Patriots got exactly what they paid for with Milton Williams.
- Tom E. Curran says Sunday was a ‘show me’ game for the Patriots, and they delivered.
- Karen Guregian warns the Patriots can win with Drake Maye making mistakes—but not for long.
- Doug Kyed notes rookie offensive linemen Will Campbell and Jared Wilson played beside each other for the first time since Week 12; Here’s how Mike Vrabel evaluated their play.
- Khari Thompson looks at who stood out and who struggled against the Chargers.
- Zack Cox looks at how Danny Amendola motivated rookie WR Efton Chism III before his playoff debut.
- Justin Leger uses video clips to illustrate how the defense made a statement Sunday night.
- Clare Cooper writes that while Zak Kuhr’s defense definitely stepped up in the wild card win, is this just some defense déjà vu?
- Mark Daniels observes LB K’Lavon Chaisson continues to look like a free-agent steal for New England.
- Doug Kyed relays veteran Garrett Bradbury telling his rookie teammates to soak it all in. “The place was rocking, coming out, running out of the tunnel for the game was the most electric I’ve seen it here. The fans were in it. Stands were full… Guys, this is sick. Don’t take it for granted.”
- Mark Daniels tells us Center Garrett Bradbury played every snap despite having the flu. /Crazy.
- Karen Guregian finds Miami alum Andy Borregales unfazed by New England weather.
- Mike Reiss reports starting cornerback Christian Gonzalez is in concussion protocol.
- Alex Barth notes the Patriots opened up a roster spot ahead of Divisional week and suggests who may fill it.
- Jake Seymour hears from Mike Vrabel on why Pats didn’t go for a 2-point conversion after the TD Sunday.
- Mike Reiss highlights Bill Belichick on Pats-Chargers (Jim Gray “Let’s Go”). “In the second half, Josh really got the offense on track.”
- Pats Procrastination podcast: Clare and Chudders recap the wildcard win over the Chargers and take a quick look ahead to Sunday’s matchup against the Texans. (34 min.)
- Pats Chat podcast: Doug Kyed and Michael Hurley break down the Patriots’ win over the Chargers: Booms, dooms and biggest takeaways. (68 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Chris Bumbaca (USA Today) Patriots stifle Chargers for first playoff win since Brady-Belichick era.
- Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) Playoff winners and losers: Winners: Patriots defense and Drake Maye. Loser: Justin Herbert. /Click for commentary.
- Steven Ruiz (The Ringer) Winners and losers of Wild-Card weekend. Loser: Justin Herbert.
- Gilberto Manzano (SI) Six lessons from Wild-Card weekend: Caleb Williams will soon be a top-10 QB. Chargers need to follow Patriots’ free agency blueprint.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) CB Christian Gonzalez is in the concussion protocol.
- Matt Verderame (SI) Texans’ defense isn’t just dominant—It could be legendary.
- Chris Bumbaca (USA Today) Making the case for and against each NFL Coach of the Year candidate.
- John Breech (CBS Sports) 2026 NFL playoff schedule and bracket: Dates, times, TV for every round from divisional to Super Bowl.
- Brendon Kleen (Awful Announcing) Tony Dungy calls for changes in NFL divisional round scheduling: ‘Not fair’. “This late in the season recovery time is crucial and it is not given equally.”
