Patriots QB Drake Maye 'never doubted' during ugly win over Chargers

"Proud of this team," Maye said to Grant Gordon of NFL.com after the win. "We never doubted it. It wasn't pretty, that's for sure. But this defense was so fun to watch. Congrats to them. It was so fun to watch. They won the game for us. I didn't throw it very well tonight. Need to be better. We did what we had to do and that's what it takes in the playoffs. Just proud of this team. That was fun to get one at home and [I] look forward to being back here next week."

The Patriots held a 9-3 lead late in the third quarter before the Patriots finally found the end zone when Maybe connected with Hunter Henry for a 28-yard touchdown pass.

Patriots HC Mike Vrabel praises his QB for showing up when it mattered most

Despite pulling out an ugly victory, Maye showed up when it mattered most, tossing a touchdown that essentially iced the game for New England. In total, Maye completed 17-of-29 passes for 268 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Despite the interception and relatively pedestrian numbers, Maye outdueled Justin Herbert, who was completely off his game. Herbert connected on 19-of-31 attempts for 159 yards.

"I thought he came through when we needed him," Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said of Maye's night. "The tipped pass is unfortunate that turned into an interception, but the throw to Hunter, I thought when we needed him, was elite."

The Patriots will now wait to play the winner of Texans-Steelers

Looking toward the Divisional Round, the Patriots will await the winner of Monday night's wild-card matchup between the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Texans have won nine straight games, while the four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers will look to break the Steelers’ curse of first-round exits (four since 2020). 

The Patriots didn’t play C.J. Stroud and the Texans this season, but did play Rodgers and the Steelers, where they lost 21-14 in Week 3.