Patriots fans invaded SoFi Stadium Sunday — just like every other opposing fanbase. The Chargers may be a playoff team, but they can’t attract their own fans to home games. It’s a sad commentary, and shows the NFL was maybe a little overambitious sending two teams to Los Angeles.
But they can’t actually say that on the CBS telecast, because the iconic network enjoys a multibillion-dollar relationship with the NFL. So play-by-play man Ian Eagle and color analyst Charles Davis pivoted to a clever explanation for why Patriots fans seemingly outnumbered Chargers fans Sunday: they just love the amenities.
As Davis said, NFL fans from all over the country are flocking to see the league’s $5 billion cathedral.
That might explain some of the migration, and LA is a pretty nice place to visit, at least while it’s still here. But there’s no reason why throngs of Chargers fans would’t want to enjoy SoFi Stadium., too. The problem is, they just aren’t around.
Patriots fans were expected to outnumber Chargers fans 63-37, according to ESPN. And the stadium sounded like it. Mac Jones enjoyed a pop while running out for warmups, and Adrian Phillips sent the crowd to its feet with his game-winning pick-six.
“Catching that pick and then you hear screams like that, it was crazy,” he said. “I love the fan base out in Boston, in Foxborough,” Phillips told reporters. “I’m glad that they’re traveling with us and are supporting us still, because it’s been a frustrating season.”
It certainly must be frustrating for the Chargers when they’re forced to use a silent count at their own stadium. It was the kind of game that could turn around the Patriots’ fortunes, while reminding the Chargers they’re still second fiddle.
