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01/12 16:34 CST Vrabel and Patriots bring confidence into divisional round
after strong defensive performance
Vrabel and Patriots bring confidence into divisional round after strong
defensive performance
By KYLE HIGHTOWER
AP Sports Writer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass., (AP) --- Patriots coach Mike Vrabel left his team's 16-3
wild-card playoff victory over the Los Angeles Chargers with his face literally
bloodied, but an unshaken confidence in his team.
He's optimistic because although there were some shortcomings by an offense
that has sustained his team this season, he believes the Patriots played with a
physicality on defense that has arrived at the perfect time.
New England limited Chargers to 207 total yards, the ninth time this season it
held an opponent to fewer than 300 yards. The Patriots' six sacks tied for the
second-most in franchise playoff history.
"Everybody played. Everybody contributed," Vrabel said. "Guys went down. Other
guys went in there and stepped up. We play a lot of guys on defense. I think
they all appreciate that. I think they all have roles."
Defensive tackle Milton Williams said the Patriots' success is a function of
them not making things too complicated.
"We have been doing this all our lives. Keep it simple. We do not need any
superhero, superhuman effort from anybody," Williams said. "Just go out there
and do your job and be where you are supposed to be. The rest is going to take
care of itself."
Next up is the Patriots' first trip to the divisional round since their run to
the franchise's sixth Super Bowl title in the 2018 season.
"There has been legacy here for a minute, and we are trying to get our own,"
safety Marcus Jones said.
What's working After an uneven performance in the regular-season finale, a win over Miami, New England's defense was playoff-ready, putting pressure on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert while keeping his wide receivers bottled up for most of the night. The Chargers, who led the NFL this season with 115 third-down conversions, went 1 of 10 on third down. What needs help New England's offense was 4 of 11 on third down and 0 for 3 in the red zone against the Chargers. Those rates will need to improve if the Patriots want to advance to the AFC championship game. Stock up Williams. In his second game back from a five-game stint on injured reserve with an ankle injury, he played some of his best football of the season. His two sacks tied his career playoff high, which he set in last season's Super Bowl win while playing for Philadelphia. Stock down LG Jared Wilson, who missed the last two games while in the concussion protocol, struggled in his first game back. He gave up two of the five sacks and four of the five hurries allowed by the Patriots. Injuries Vrabel said CB Christian Gonzalez was not allowed to reenter the game after leaving with a head injury and has since been placed in the concussion protocol. "Wherever that goes, that goes," Vrabel said. "Hopefully we'll get him back." Key number 2 --- With 38 playoff wins in their history, the Patriots have sole possession of second place on the NFL's postseason victory list behind San Francisco with 39. Next steps The Patriots will play the winner of Monday night's game between Houston and Pittsburgh. The Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers beat New England in Foxborough in Week 3. The Patriots haven't played the Texans since losing to them last season. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL |
