Another Playoff Exit, Same Problem: Chargers Offense Pedestrian Against Patriots

There were multiple opportunities for Justin Herbert and the offense to take control of the game, but they didn’t—at all.

There wasn’t a single moment Sunday night in Foxborough when the Chargers offense looked like a real threat.

Instead, the New England Patriots are moving on after beating the Chargers 16-3 in the Wild Card round.

No excuses. The Chargers offense simply let the team down.

What a way to get kicked out of the playoffs—with an offense that couldn’t get anything going all night.

On a night in which Drake Maye was sacked _ times and committed _ turnovers, it was still the Chargers offense that couldn’t capitalize, even when the defense gifted them a turnover at the Patriots’ 8-yard line.

Now the question becomes: who is going to pay the price?

The offense has been a problem in both seasons under Jim Harbaugh, with play-calling standing out as the most questionable aspect. Will Harbaugh fire his close friend and offensive coordinator Greg Roman?

Harbaugh deserves blame. He is the head coach, and the game planning and offensive line play have been horrendous.

He has wasted two years of Herbert’s prime with a poor offensive line, average weaponry, and a terrible run game. Herbert has been the Chargers’ best runner this season.

Herbert will be the first to say the loss is on him, and that’s partially true. There were moments when he looked rattled in the pocket, missed receivers, and left potential big plays on the field. He was sacked five times and hit 11 times Sunday night.

The Chargers defense was spectacular, holding the Patriots’ high-powered offense to nine points until 9:45 remained in the fourth quarter.

David Butler II-Imagn Images

Jan 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriotsin an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium.

The fact the offense couldn’t score more is inexcusable. Herbert (19-for-31 for 159 passing yards) had zero passing yards in the second half until 5:39 left in the fourth quarter, when he completed an 11-yard pass to Kimani Vidal.

Last year, the Chargers scored 12 points against Houston in the Wild Card round. On Sunday night, they scored three. That’s 15 total points in two playoff games under Harbaugh—15 points that wouldn’t have been enough to beat New England on this night.

In those two playoff games, Harbaugh’s offense has been outscored 48-15 and has produced just one touchdown.

The final play of the Roman offense came on 4th-and-9 from the Patriots’ 34-yard line. Herbert dropped back and was drilled by Milton Williams for a sack. Herbert stayed down briefly, clutching his right arm as the offensive line helped him off the ground.

Here’s how it all unfolded:

The Chargers defense started fast. On the Patriots’ opening drive, Maye (17-for-29 for 268 yards one touchdown one interception) faced 3rd-and-6 from his 48. After pressure from the left side forced him to step up, Odafe Oweh closed in for a sack to force a punt.

On the next Patriots drive, which began at their own 8-yard line, Maye faced 2nd-and-11 and threw a pass intended for tight end Austin Hooper. Defensive tackle Teair Tart popped the ball into the air. It went through Derwin James’ hands and into Daiyan Henley’s, giving the Chargers the first turnover of the game.

The offense, however, couldn’t take advantage. Starting with a gift in plus territory, the Greg Roman–led unit opened with a pass on first down, a designed quarterback run on second, and a pass that resulted in a one-yard Herbert scramble. Harbaugh went for it on 4th-and-goal from the 2, but pressure forced Herbert to scramble and throw high over Keenan Allen.

Maye was pinned deep again, but on the first play he found running back Rhamondre Stevenson wide open over the middle for a 48-yard gain. Seven plays later, after a sack by Tuli Tuipulotu, Maye responded by hitting rookie Efton Chism III for 20 yards on the next play. The drive stalled, but Andy Borregales drilled a 23-yard field goal to put New England up 3-0.

The Chargers offense showed brief signs of life on the next drive. On 2nd-and-11 from his own 27, Herbert found Ladd McConkey wide open for a 20-yard gain. Runs from Kimani Vidal and receptions from Allen and Tucker Fisk helped move the ball, but a questionable call on 3rd-and-2—a run to Vidal—went nowhere. Cameron Dicker tied the game with a 21-yard field goal.

One of the biggest missed calls of the game came with 53 seconds left in the half. Herbert dropped back from his own 35 and was hit on the helmet by Milton Williams for a sack. No flag was thrown. On the next play, Herbert was sacked again by K’Lavon Chaisson.

Things got worse when JK Scott managed just a 33-yard punt, giving the Patriots the ball near midfield. With only 31 seconds left, Maye scrambled for 37 yards on 2nd-and-10, setting up Borregales’ 35-yard field goal to give New England a 6-3 halftime lead.

The Chargers offense opened the second half poorly. On 3rd-and-7 from their own 35, Herbert rolled left under pressure and underthrew McConkey. Had Herbert led him, it could have been a big gain.

Maye then found a rhythm, hitting Stevenson for 10 yards, Hunter Henry for 17, and Stevenson again for 17. Just as the Patriots were driving, Oweh (Three sacks on the night) strip-sacked Maye on 2nd-and-10, with Da’Shawn Hand recovering.

Once again, the Chargers offense failed to capitalize and punted.

Tart sacked Maye on the first play of the next drive, but two plays later Maye connected with Henry for 19 yards and Kayshon Boutte for 42. The drive ended with a 39-yard Borregales field goal, pushing the lead to 9-3.

On the following possession, Maye marched 80 yards with ease, highlighted by a 16-yard pass to Boutte. The drive ended with the only touchdown of the night—a 28-yard strike from Maye to Henry against his former team—to make it 16-3.

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Jan 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium.

The Chargers offense still had nothing. Even after Herbert scrambled for 27 yards, he was sacked again by Chaisson, hit hard, and fumbled. The Patriots recovered as Herbert lay on the ground before being helped up by his linemen.

That was all she wrote.

Harbaugh can’t keep wasting Justin Herbert’s prime. He once said on The Rich Eisen Show that he woke up in the middle of the night knowing he needed to get Herbert to the Hall of Fame—this isn’t the way.

The Chargers need a revolutionary offensive mind, a complete overhaul of the offensive line, and improved weaponry.

If Harbaugh makes a move at offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel should be the top candidate. They need to throw the bag at him.

For now, the Chargers head into the offseason with massive questions across every aspect of the organization.

They have the big-time coach making big-time money. Now it’s time for that coach to make big-time decisions.