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Patriots make light work of Chargers

Published:Sunday | January 13, 2019 | 12:00 AM
AP
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman runs after catching a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL divisional play-off football game in Foxborough, Massachusetts, yesterday.

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (AP):

Sony Michel ran for 129 yards and had three touchdowns and the New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Chargers 41-28 in the divisional play-offs yesterday to earn their eighth straight trip to the AFC championship game.

New England (12-5) will play at Kansas City in next week's AFC title game. The Patriots beat the Chiefs 43-40 in Foxborough in Week six.

It is the 13th conference championship game appearance by the Patriots during the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era. The Chargers (13-5) have not reached the AFC title game since the 2007 season.

Quarterback 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 improves to 8-0 as a starter against Rivers, who drops to 1-8 against New England all-time.

James White tied Darren Sproles' NFL postseason record with 15 catches, totalling 97 yards.

New England scored on their first four possessions of the game to build a 35-7 half-time lead.