FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The MVP chants for the second-year quarterback of the New England Patriots rang all through Gillette Stadium on Sunday night time.
The Chargers, in the meantime, had been haunted by their very own echoes.
One other playoff recreation. One other one-and-done exit.
The gutty season of quarterback Justin Herbert once more ended with a whimper, a 16-3 loss on an evening when the Chargers protection offered ample alternatives.
“Now we have to do higher than three factors,” Herbert stated. “As an offense, that’s not adequate. The quarterback play wasn’t adequate, and we let the protection down right this moment.”
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is sacked by New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings within the fourth quarter Sunday.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Instances)
Three years in the past was the nuclear meltdown at Jacksonville, when the Chargers blew a 27-0 result in lose, 31-30.
Final 12 months, the primary below coach Jim Harbaugh, Herbert was picked off 4 instances at Houston after making it by the common season with simply three interceptions.
Now, the Chargers have all offseason to ponder the fiasco at Foxborough, once they generated one subject objective, 207 yards and transformed considered one of 10 third downs.
The duvet-your-eyes postseason scorecard below Harbaugh: Two video games, 15 factors on three subject objectives, one landing and a failed conversion.
Requested after the New England loss if the upcoming offseason modifications might embrace altering out offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Harbaugh was notably noncommittal.
“Proper now I don’t have the solutions,” Harbaugh stated. “We’re going to have a look at that.”
The juxtaposition between the Chargers and Patriots is stark. The Chargers are exactly the place they had been a 12 months in the past, groping for solutions about how you can win a postseason recreation.
The Patriots received simply 4 video games final season however bumped that to 14 this 12 months — considered one of three groups in NFL historical past to enhance by a minimum of 10 video games in 12 months — and now advance to play host to Monday night time’s winner between Houston and Pittsburgh.
Pretty much as good as Herbert was all season — significantly enjoying behind a patchwork offensive line and with a damaged left hand — he appeared misplaced in area Sunday, unable to attach along with his receivers or set up something near an offensive rhythm.
Former Chargers tight finish Hunter Henry catches a landing go within the fourth quarter for the Patriots. It was the sport’s solely landing.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Instances)
He threw for 120 yards and oversaw an offense whose possessions ended thusly: punt, turnover on downs, subject objective, punt, finish of half, punt, punt, punt, fumble, turnover on downs.
It’s not as if the Patriots had been significantly better. The Chargers largely shut them down on offense, however New England was in a position to cobble collectively three subject objectives and a landing by tight finish Hunter Henry, who, in a tormenting twist, started his profession with the Chargers.
However Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was extra calm and in command than Herbert regardless of two fumbles (one misplaced) and an interception on a go that was batted on the line of scrimmage.
“Credit score to Drake Maye,” Chargers security Derwin James Jr. stated. “Each time we bought to him, he bought again up. Each time his group wanted a play right this moment, he used his legs.”
Actually, the quarterbacks had been the main rushers, with Maye working for 66 yards and Herbert 57. The Patriots bought 53 extra from Rhamondre Stevenson, whereas the Chargers couldn’t mount something of a real working recreation.
When groups win, they spend the offseason making an attempt to maintain their rosters collectively. Once they lose, it’s again to the drafting board. The Chargers are within the latter class.
In a locker room so quiet you may hear a dream drop, linebacker Daiyan Henley stated Harbaugh thanked his gamers after the sport.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is sluggish to stand up after being sacked within the fourth quarter in opposition to the Patriots on Sunday.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Instances)
“There was a number of confidence going into this recreation,” Henley stated. “I feel the sensation and vibe you’re getting on this locker room proper now could be that it’s over and that this group goes to vary. All people is conscious that our protection goes to certainly change.
“When you could have a core group of fellows like this, all people holds a number of satisfaction in what we do. So to know that we misplaced and the season is over and this locker room goes to vary — and upstairs might change — it hurts extra.”
Henley stated Harbaugh thanked his gamers after the sport, particularly for the best way they fought all season regardless of the varied hurdles of their path.
“It sucks as a result of that is how the season ends, so once you discuss processing a loss like this, the method lasts longer,” Henley stated.
“You exit on a loss, I’ll be fascinated with it till I can exit and get my subsequent win.”
