Field goal - Patriotspublished at 01:53 GMT 12 January

01:53 GMT 12 January

Los Angeles Chargers 0-3 New England Patriots - second quarter

Drake Maye goes on a bit of a walkabout - it looks like a gap opens up to race to the end zone but he turns that down in favour of running about under pressure then just lobbing it away.

So Andy Borregales then has to trot onto the field to slot a 23-yard field goal.

Image source, Getty Images

Drake Maye is sacked for the second time today, but he gets up and responds with a 20-yard pass to Efton Chism who does a far better job catching the ball than throwing it as he collects the ball on the Chargers 11.

The first quarter ends after that play with the Pats in great position to score.

The Pats try and pull a fast one with a double hand-off and then a pass attempt on the run from wide receiver Efton Chism to Drake Maye who is wide open after sneaking away down the right, but the pass is off target.

Would've been great if they pulled that off - although Mike Vrabel doesn't seem impressed on the sideline.

It's just a short pass to Rhamondre Stevenson but he gets a great block that springs him free into the open field and he scampers away to midfield before he's tackled after a 48-yard run.

It's no good though as Justin Herbert tries to find veteran Keenan Allen but the pass is broken up and the Chargers come away empty handed from that gift.

Brilliant defensive stand though by New England and that will give them a huge boost in confidence for the rest of the game.

Image source, Getty Images

Cris Collinsworth
Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver on NBC

Sometimes it's the guy that does next to nothing on the rush!

There is nothing more dangerous than a ball tipped straight up in the air and the Chargers get the break they are looking for on the road.

Justin Herbert is brought down twice when he goes on the run looking for the end zone, and that brings up fourth down.

Surprise, surprise, even Jim Harbaugh has caught the go for it bug and he turns down the field goal to try and punch in the touchdown.

Drake Maye throws a dangerous short pass over the middle and the ball is tipped, boble around a bit but gathered by Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley at the Patriots 10-yard line.

That's a massive error and huge momentum changer with Justin Herbert now having the chance to turn that pick into seven points right away.

Cris Collinsworth
Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver on NBC

I think Jim Harbaugh has been watching the games this weekend.

Jim Harbaugh looks like he's got the memo about going for it on fourth down, but it's just a ploy to try and get the Pats defence to jump offside - but nothing doing.

It's a nice punt away though as Drake Maye will return just outside his own end zone.

The Pats fans get loud and that ends up provoking a false start from the Chargers offence, who have made two first downs so far and gained 28 yards.

Image source, Getty Images

Fifa president Gianni Infantino is at Gillette Stadium alongside Patriots owner Robert Kraft tonight.

Foxborough will host seven World Cup games this season - including two Scotland games and England's game against Ghana.

One first down for the Pats but then they're sent back to the sideline when Drake Maye is sacked by Odafe Oweh and the hosts have to punt it away.

Let's see what Justin Herbert's got.

Image source, Getty Images

Right then folks, ready for one more?

Play-off football is back at Foxborough and Drake Maye gets first go to try and press his MVP claims - is he just a flat track bully or is he the real deal?

We should get an answer tonight...

It perhaps highlights just how good of a season Drake Maye has had when you put him side-by-side with someone as good as Justin Herbert.

Herbert is one of the league's best but he's beaten in every department by the Patriots' second-year man.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, BBC/Getty Images

It's not just star quarterbacks that will be facing off in Foxborough but a couple of star rookie running backs, too.

Omarion Hampton and TreVeyon Henderson were the 22nd and 38th pick in the 2025 NFL draft and have showed throughout the season why their respective franchises opted to use early picks to secure their services.

Hampton quickly cemented himself as the lead back in Los Angeles before a fractured ankle slightly derailed his season, though he is expected to play this evening.

Henderson on the other hand initially took a back seat to Rhamondre Stevenson but quickly proved to the Patriots why he should be the lead back.

Both had incredible rookie seasons by their own respects and will look to have a big say in their first play-off appearances.

Image source, Reuters

Phoebe Schecter: Patriots

Playing at New England is tough in the cold and I think that makes a big difference. I don't know how much further the Patriots will go, but I think they'll win this.

Justin Herbert's been hit so many times. The Chargers' offensive line has just not been able to protect him. Like the Bills, their receivers haven't been able to get separation. It's like Herbert's the magic man again, whereas at least the Patriots have some receivers, and Drake Maye has been phenomenal.

I think he's earned the MVP because it's a great story. He's with a franchise that's not been itself since Tom Brady left and it's unbelievable what he's done in his second year.

You can only say their schedule has been easy so many times. You still have to beat the teams in front of you, and he's been decisive, he's stepping up in the pocket and the way he throws the ball is beautiful.

Ben Collins: Patriots

New England are arguably the best all-round team coming into the play-offs while the Chargers are leaning heavily on Justin Herbert. Never mind the strength of the Patriots' schedule, they've developed a winning habit now and I can only see another Pats win at Foxborough.

Paul Higham: Chargers

Drake Maye could be something special, but a first play-off start is always something very different. I don't think the strength of schedule thing is too important, but it's certainly worth considering as the Chargers have a top five road defence over the last two years.

Justin Herbert has been great and has all the tools to be a star, and we all know about Jim Harbaugh's credentials - so I'll take him to mastermind an upset.

Image source, Getty Images

To be the best you have to beat the best.

And that's what New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will have to do on Sunday.

While he remains firmly in the race for the MVP award, one argument that continues to go against him from many is the fact his record is only so good due to the Patriots having an "easy" strength of schedule.

Well, in the play-offs, there is no such thing as easy.

Maye finished the season with the best passer rating (113.5) in the league but tonight faces a Chargers defence that finished the regular campaign with the best passing defence in the league.

If there was ever a stage to prove the doubters wrong, it is this one.

Image source, Getty Images

Patriots 14-3

After losing two of their opening three matches, this season had the feeling of more of the same for New England.

Since that second defeat in September, though, the Patriots tasted defeat just once for the remainder of the campaign - winning 13 of their last 14 matches.

Chargers 11-6

It has been a topsy-turvy year for the Chargers who have found the habit of consistency difficult.

There have been impressive wins against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Denver Broncos throughout the season but there have also been shock defeats to the New York Giants and Washington Commanders at points too.

Which team will turn up this evening? Jim Harbaugh will certainly be hoping for the former.