#TBT to the last Patriots-Chargers matchup
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| Associated Press | Charles Krupa |
*This article is part of a weekly Throwback Thursday series that will feature key stat lines and short recaps of the last time the New England Patriots played their upcoming opponent.
Last Time Out…
The New England Patriots and the now Los Angeles Chargers will face off for the first time since Dec. 7, 2014. The Patriots defeated the Chargers in a score of 23-14.
It was a tight-knit game in the first half, as the Chargers led 14-13 at the break. However, it was all New England in the second half – more particularly the fourth quarter – as they outscored the Chargers 10-0 to pull off the win.
Noteworthy…
The victory gave New England its 12th straight 10-win season, and was the team’s eighth win in nine games at that point in the season.
The team had spent the week in San Diego after their loss at Green Bay to cut down on late-season travel. Wilfork credited the extra time they had to prepare to their camaraderie, bond and focus on that game.
The Chargers will be visiting Gillette Stadium for the first time since the 2011 season when the Patriots won in a score of 35-21.
Brady’s first 300-yard game was on Oct. 14, 2001 when he went 33-of-54 for 364 yards to help seal the 29-26 overtime win.
Since 2000, New England is 56-18 in the month of October, which is a league-best.
The Stats…
Tom Brady completed 28-of-44 attempts for 317 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Phillip Rivers went 20-of-33 for 189 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
LeGarrette Blount led New England’s rushing efforts with 20 carries for 66 yards, while San Diego’s Ryan Mathews carried the ball 11 times for 44 yards.
Julian Edelman caught eight balls for 141 yards including a clutch 69-yard fourth-quarter touchdown after breaking two tackles and taking it to the house. This play helped swing the momentum back in New England’s favor.
Rob Gronkowski also put up good numbers for New England – catching eight passes for 87 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown.
Malcom Floyd led the Chargers’ receiving corps with three receptions for 54 yards and had the team’s lone offensive touchdown on the day. Darrell Stuckey had a 53-yard fumble return to record the Chargers’ other score.
Jamie Collins had a big defensive day for New England as he posted nine total tackles, including eight solo. He also recorded two sacks and three tackles for losses. Rob Ninkovich tallied a sack, while Chris Jones and
Sealver Siliga added a half sack each.
For the Chargers, Kavell Conner and Jahleel Addae posted eight total tackles each, including six solo. Melvin Ingram recorded a sack on the day.
Each team notched a reception that game, including Manti Te’o for the Chagers and Akeem Ayers for the Patriots.
And Now…
The Los Angeles Chargers will travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 29. Game time is set for 1pm.
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