Patriots paste Chargers in 45-0 blowout, reach .500 for first time since October

For years, the Patriots made a habit of saving their best football for after Thanksgiving.

To knock off challengers who would charge at them with sights set on the AFC crown.

To clinch a first-round playoff bye, their reward for leading the pack after a 17-week slog.

Though today’s Pats are far from those Patriots, the team’s timing remains impeccable. For that reason, now riding a two-game win streak after Thanksgiving, their playoff hopes are only growing stronger.

The Patriots blasted the Chargers 45-0 in their best performance of the season Sunday and hoisted themselves back to .500 for the first time since mid-October. The Pats dominated in every phase, none more than special teams, where they scored touchdowns on a punt return and blocked field goal, both firsts dating back to 2014. Defensively, the Pats (6-6) coaxed two interceptions from Los Angeles quarterback and Rookie of the Year favorite Justin Herbert and short-circuited his deep set of weapons.

The Chargers (3-9) were limited to a season-low 258 yards, despite entering kickoff as home favorites. The win immediately leads the Patriots into another battle of Los Angeles on Thursday night, when the Rams will host them in a game that could decide their postseason fate. But for now, they can savor and enjoy.

Even Cam Newton.

Following the worst statistical outing of his career, Newton went 12-of-19 for 69 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers. He also scored twice on the ground and ran for 48 yards. Newton’s last rushing touchdown set the proverbial nail in LA’s coffin by powering the Pats to a 21-0 lead with less than a minute remaining in the first half.

Then Devin McCourty drove it home.

On the final play of the Chargers’ ensuing drive, McCourty raced a blocked Michael Badgley field goal 44 yards to pay dirt as time expired. Pats special teamer Cody Davis had flown through a gaping hole in the left side of the Chargers’ protection to swat it. McCourty’s score followed Gunner Olszewski’s punt return touchdown earlier in the second quarter, another stroke of special teams mastery.

Ahead 7-0, the Pats sprung Olszewski for a clean 70-yard return, the first score of his young career. Special teams captain Matthew Slater and backup wideout Donte Moncrief delivered the initial blocks, allowing Olszewski to zip 42 yards down the right sideline before he was contacted by a single Charger — punter Tyler Long — and then slipped into the end zone.

For the second time in three weeks, the Pats offense engineered an opening drive touchdown. Newton capped the 13-play, run-heavy march with a 1-yard reach over the goal line. Newton and Damien Harris powered their offense with 57 combined rushing yards on that series and 128 on the day.

Immediately, the Chargers found their own groove on the ground, crossing midfield with ease on their first possession. However, Deatrich Wise’s sack on third down sack quickly threw them in reverse, and then Badgley missed a 46-yard field goal. It was the first of several special teams miscues for Los Angeles, including multiple penalties that restarted Patriot drives.

Other mistakes included Herbert’s interception to Pats linebacker Chase Winovich at the start of the second half. Winovich’s pick placed the Patriots on the cusp of the red zone, the starting point of another touchdown drive. This time, Newton scoring by rifling a 5-yard pass to N’Keal Harry, his second touchdown of the year.

J.C. Jackson intercepted Herbert on the next series, which led to a field goal for the Patriots that yielded a 38-0 advantage. Newton was sidelined after that, and backup Jarrett Stidham didn’t disappoint in mop-up duty, threading a 38-yard touchdown to Olszewski in the fourth quarter.

Here were the best and worst Patriots performances from Sunday:

Best

Special teams An outstanding outing all around. Every unit contributed, and three scored. Hats off to everybody.

Pass rush Herbert was bothered throughout and took three sacks. Adam Butler and Lawrence Guy also got to him.

Short-yardage offense Newton was near automatic at the goal line and with two or fewer yards to go. Opponents know these runs are coming, and still can’t stop them.

Worst

None.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/39N6LAF