Well then.
The Patriots made a strong statement on the road Sunday afternoon with a blow out, 45-0 win over the Chargers — their first of two games in L.A. this week.
They dominated the Chargers in all three phases, as Los Angeles never had a chance, trailing 28-0 at the half. New England controlled the game offensively, frustrated Justin Herbert and Co. on defense and got two special teams touchdowns, so all three phases truly contributed.
Cam Newton finished 12-for-19 passing with 69 yards and a touchdown, while adding 48 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, . He did a tremendous job managing the game as the Patriots committed to who they are — a run-first offense that takes advantage of their opponents’ mistakes.
Newton was pulled early in the fourth quarter for Jarrett Stidham.
Here are 10 quick thoughts on the game.
1. The Patriots defense has certainly put its tough performance in Houston from two weeks ago in the rear-view mirror as for the second straight week the unit came to play. The front-seven was able to pressure Herbert and the secondary did a great job covering Los Angeles’ playmakers in the backend. This was by far its most dominant performance of the year and certainly will give them confidence for the remainder of the season. Herbert was 25-for-50 passing with 209 yards and two interceptions.
2. Josh McDaniels called a great game offensively, as the unit committed to the run and it paid off, finishing with 165 yards rushing. It seemed McDaniels made a concerted effort to keep Newton comfortable and gave him a chance to make plays with his legs with a number of option plays called. Also, there were a few plays where Newton dropped back to pass, but when nothing was there took off and ran. Some other times this year he would try and force the ball into a tight window, or take a sack.
3. According to Football Outsiders, the Chargers are on pace to have the second-worst special teams ever measured by the outlet. The unit allowed a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown to Gunner Olszewski and then as the first half expired Devin McCourty returned a block field goal for a touchdown. The punt return had special meaning to Olszewski and the team as they had one called back last week against Arizona.
4. The Patriots’ defensive line came to play. They finished with three sacks and 10 quarterback hits as they made life extremely difficult for Herbert. Adam Butler, Deatrich Wise and Josh Uche led the group with Butler and Wise recording a sack and Uche having two QB hits. Pressure on opposing quarterbacks was an issue for the team earlier in the year.
5. Damien Harris continues to have a tremendous season, which was delayed following a thumb injury over the summer. He finished with 80 yards on 16 carries and is now on pace to have over 1,000 yards on the year. He runs extremely hard and is always moving the pile forward, while also having the ability to beat defenders outside.
6. Olszewski finished with 145 punt return yards, which were the second-most in a game in Patriots history. As an undrafted defensive back out of Bemidji State, give him tons of credit, especially after getting his kick return duties taken away a week ago. He added another touchdown in the fourth quarter — a 38-yard reception from Stidham.
7. N’Keal Harry had his second touchdown catch of the season in the third quarter in traffic near the goal-line. That was what he was known for at Arizona State — making contested catches. It was good to see, as he’s had tremendous support from his teammates in what hasn’t been a productive second season in the league.
8. Give credit to Stephon Gilmore for doing an outstanding job against Keenan Allen. The wide out finished with five catches on 11 targets for 48 yards. This comes after last week when he did a solid job against DeAndre Hopkins.
9. The mismatch in coaching was extremely apparent as the Chargers made some brutal mistakes in the game ranging from bad penalties, to having 10 men on one punt play and then later on having 12, which resulted in the Patriots picking up a first down. It’s very hard to see Anthony Lynn making it another year. Along the same vein, give credit to Patriots special teams coach Cam Achord for what he was able to do.
10. The Patriots will now stay in L.A. ahead of their Thursday night game against the Rams. They did not get much help from other teams as it relates to the playoffs, as all the teams ahead of them in the standings won. Thursday’s game will once again be must-win as it relates to the team having any shot at sneaking into the postseason.
The two special teams touchdowns for the Patriots was the third time they’ve accomplished that in the last 20 seasons.