Charger Report

Chargers bungle opportunity for early points off Daiyan Henley interception of Drake Maye

Despite an interception that gave them the ball at New England's 10-yard line, the Los Angeles Chargers came up empty on offense early in the playoff game at New England.
Richie Whitt|
Daiyan Henley
Daiyan Henley | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles ChargersNew England Patriots

Drake Maye had an MVP-caliber regular season, but as we reminded earlier Sunday he hasn't faced a ball-hawking defense like the Los Angeles Chargers all season. Welcome to the playoffs.

In leading the New England Patriots to a 14-3 record, the young quarterback led the NFL by completing 72 percent of his passes. He also threw 31 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. But on his third drop-back of the Wild Card game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Maye was picked by the Chargers' opportunistic secondary.

MORE: Chargers' Top 10 pass defense should again humble Patriots' MVP candidate Drake Maye

Defensive lineman Teair Tart was unable to get pressure on Maye, but he reached up and deflected a pass over the middle. The ball bounded high the air. When it came down, safety Derwin James got his hands on it but sort of volleyballed it into the air, where is finally grabbed by linebacker Daiyan Henley.

It was the Chargers' 20th interception of the season, to only 16 touchdown passes allowed.

MORE: 2 Chargers still around from last playoff win will play key role vs. Patriots

Despite being handed the ball at New England's 10-yard line, the Bolts couldn't produce points. Three runs - one designed - moved the ball to the Pats' 3, but head coach Jim Harbaugh passed up the chip-shot field goal and went for the touchdown. On 4th-and-goal, Herbert overthrew an open Keenan Allen in the end zone for a turnover on downs.

The teams headed to the second quarter tied 0-0.

Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.

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