Why Stefon Diggs wasn't happy with Patriots fans after win over Chargers

The New England Patriots won the first playoff game they hosted since January 2020 when they notched a 16-3 wild-card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. 

Nevertheless, Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs later made it known he expected a bit better from those who paid their money to watch the matchup take place at Gillette Stadium.

Stefon Diggs challenges Patriots fans for future playoff games

"They could have been a little louder," Diggs said about Patriots fans who were in attendance, per Lauren Campbell of MassLive. "They got loud at times, but I think they might have taken a little nap in between there a little bit. We’ve got to give them a lot to cheer for, too, on the offensive side of the ball. But it was those spurts where you knew that they were present, and on defense, they were present every time. I’m just talking from the offensive side of the ball. I appreciate the quietness a little bit, though. We’d be a little bit more efficient. But, if something exciting happens, don’t be scared to scream at the top of your lungs." 

Diggs was right that portions of Sunday's contest were a bit dull for the casual fan. New England took a 6-3 lead into halftime, and only 10 total points were scored over the game's final two quarters. 

That said, the Los Angeles offense certainly didn't benefit from the atmosphere inside the stadium, as a smothering New England defense sacked Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert six times. With roughly eight minutes remaining in regulation, the Patriots forced a Herbert fumble and then recovered the ball. 

Mike Vrabel challenges Patriots to give fans "reasons to cheer and to celebrate"

"That swing there where we had the turnover there and the stop, just the crowd noise and the energy and the excitement — you want to give them reasons to cheer and to celebrate," Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said during a Monday morning appearance on Boston sports radio station WEEI. "I think our football team, our players have done that, and they’ve responded."

As noted by Nick Goss of NBC Sports Boston, the Patriots will next host the winner of Monday night's game between the Houston Texans (12-5) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) on Jan. 18.