The New England Patriots keep checking boxes. After securing a division title and the right to host their first playoff game at Gillette Stadium in six years, the team of head coach Mike Vrabel took full
advantage of the opportunity that presented itself agains the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild card round.
Led by their defense, the Patriots celebrated a 16-3 victory to advance to the divisional round. It was New England’s first victory in the postseason since Super Bowl LIII in February 2019.
Updated 2026 AFC playoff bracket
The Patriots’ game on Sunday night was the fifth of wild card weekend, leaving only one left to finalize the divisional slate. When all is said and done, New England will remain as one of four teams left in the AFC.
Wild card results
- Los Angeles Rams (5) at Carolina Panthers (4) | LA 34, CAR 31
- Green Bay Packers (7) at Chicago Bears (2) | GB 27, CHI 31
- Buffalo Bills (6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3) | BUF 27, JAX 24
- San Francisco 49ers (6) at Philadelphia Eagles (3) | SF 23, PHI 19
- Los Angeles Chargers (7) at New England Patriots (2) | LAC 3, NE 16
- Houston Texans (5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4) | Monday, Jan. 12, 8 p.m. ET
Divisional round bracket
Saturday
- Buffalo Bills (6) at Denver Broncos (1)
- San Francisco 49ers (6) at Seattle Seahawks (1)
Sunday
- Houston Texans (5) OR Pittsburgh Steelers (4) at New England Patriots (2)
- Los Angeles Rams (5) at Chicago Bears (2)
The full schedule for the upcoming divisional round will be announced by the NFL after Monday night’s game between the Texans and Steelers. The Saturday games will either be played at 4:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. ET, with the Sunday games — including New England’s — at either 3 p.m. ET or 6:30 p.m. ET.
