They’re on to K.C.
Sony Michel scores 3 TDs as Patriots roll past Chargers
FOXBOROUGH, MASS. – Tom Brady recognizes that there are some who believe the Patriots are nearing the end of their run of unprecedented playoff success.
The Patriots took their first step toward possibly silencing those voices for a little longer.
Sony Michel ran for 129 yards and had three touchdowns and the Patriots beat the Chargers 41-28 in the divisional playoffs Sunday to earn their eighth straight trip to the AFC championship game.
Michel became just the second Patriots rookie in franchise history to have a rushing touchdown in the postseason. He joined fellow Georgia alum Robert Edwards, who ran for a touchdown as a rookie in New England’s 1998 wild-card loss to Jacksonville.
The Patriots will play the Chiefs in Kansas City in next week’s AFC title game. The Patriots beat the Chiefs 43-40 in Foxborough in Week 6. The Patriots finished 9-0 at home this season.
It is the 13th conference championship game appearance by the Patriots during the Tom BradyBill Belichick era.
“It’s going to be a good game,” Brady said of the rematch with the Chiefs. “They’re a good team. We played them earlier this year. I know everybody thinks we suck and, you know, we can’t win any games, so we’ll see. It’ll be fun.”
The Chargers haven’t reached the AFC title game since the 2007 season.
Philip Rivers finished 25 of 51 for 331 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He is 0-5 in games played in Foxborough, including 0-3 in the postseason.
Brady finished 34 of 44 for 343 yards and a touchdown. He improved to 8-0 as a starter against Rivers, who fell to 1-8 against the Patriots all-time.
For Rivers, seeing Brady again pick apart the Chargers defense was another reminder that he was competing against one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
“He’s up there if not the all-time great, then one of,” Rivers said. “That argument can go on forever. Was he rolling at the highest level today? I think we can all agree on that.”
James White tied Darren Sproles’ NFL postseason record with 15 catches, totaling 97 yards.
The Patriots scored on their first four possessions and built a 35-7 halftime lead.
Julian Edelman had nine catches for 151 yards. He said the run game opened up the field for the rest of the offense.
“It was awesome to get Sony out there trucking,” Edelman said. “Rex (Burkhead) was out there, he scored. And ‘Sweet Feet’ (James White) being ‘Sweet Feet.’ Sony’s over there being a little horse. It was awesome.”
The Chargers added three
touchdowns in the second half, but it was much too late.
Los Angeles lost for just the second time on the road (8-2) and first time outside Los Angeles this season.
In their last four trips to the playoffs, the Chargers have lost in the divisional round.
“We got our butts kicked,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said.
Rivers seemed poised to keep the Chargers in the game, connecting with Keenan Allen for a 43-yard score on their first offensive possession.
It was the longest touchdown of Allen’s career, including the postseason.
It turned out to be just a blip. The Chargers punted the four other times they had the ball in the first half.
Asked if this victory proved at least some of the Patriots’ doubters wrong, Brady paused and smiled.
“I just like winning,” he said. “I just like winning.”