HEAD COACH MIKE VRABEL

Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, January 11, 2026

Q: There's a saying that defense wins championships. Your team had six sacks, pretty much made Herbert's life miserable. How well did you think they played?

MV: I thought they played extremely well. I thought they were committed to stopping the run. The sudden change was critical. It was a very good defense that we were playing. We turned the ball over far too many times. But what our defense was able to do early in that game, in the red zone, inside the five-yard line or inside the nine-yard line, I think really set the tone for them for the rest of the game. Could have been better. A lot of scrambles. We knew that. Again, trying to rush, make sure that those scramble lanes aren't there. Secondary did a fantastic job with the play extensions, making sure that those plays didn't get loose. Just really proud of everybody.

Q: How proud were you to see the effort and the finish towards the end of your defense? Obviously the could smell blood. Milton Williams doing what he does best and speaking of blood, how is your lip?

MV: We talked to them about being willing to spill some blood out there, that the big dogs come out in January. I think Milt took that to heart in the way that he played the game, in the way he finished the game. He came over and got me pretty good. That's what happens.

Q: What did you think of Drake Maye's performance tonight?

MV: Yeah, I mean, again, we've got to take care of the football. Thought he came through when we needed him. The tipped pass is something that was unfortunate. That turned into an interception. But the throw to Hunter [Henry] I thought when we needed him was elite.

Q: Talk about Zak Kuhr. Obviously, defense played unbelievable tonight. He stepped in this season, done a remarkable job.

MV: He really has.

Q: Talk about the game he called tonight on defense.

MV: I would tell you this means a lot to him. These players mean a lot to him. I think that they want to do well for Zak and for the entire staff that put a lot into it. I'm proud of Zak for not only the performance calling the game, but the preparation and what goes into it. He's earned every bit of recognition that he's getting and should get. Again, it takes everybody. There's great communication from upstairs, getting it to the players. They certainly respond. All the credit has to go to them. But Zak was able to change up some calls there at the end. I felt like that mixed the pressure in because that's what we felt like we needed.

Q: On third down you were one of ten, defensively one of three on fourth down. How much momentum did you take from those stops?

MV: A lot. I think they probably got tired of hearing me talk about them being fourth in the league in third down. What they were able to do as an offense, so to be able to do that. But you have to be able to create some longer yardage situations. We were able to do that. That was a real positive. I think being able to get drives stopped, certainly the Chargers want to possess the football, they want to wear you down. I don't think we ever let them do that.

Q: Was there a particular aspect of their defensive performance which you thought was the most significant?

MV: I think the fourth down stop really set the tone. But being able to stop the run. If you look at the runs they handed off to the running back, that's kind of I think where things started. You're going to look at the rushing yards, whatever it was, but those were quarterback scrambles on passes. Our ability to stop the run and force second and third and long situations I think really helped us. Those are only good if you can take advantage of them. We caused some turnovers. We hit the quarterback. One time it bounces into the running back's hands. He's taking off running. Harold [Landry III] runs and makes a great effort play that's going to go for 12 yards. Started as a strip sack. Next time that very easily could be our football. Just the effort. Everybody played. Everybody contributed. Guys went down. Other guys went in there and stepped up. We play a lot of guys on defense. I think they all appreciate that. I think they all have roles. That's fun to see everybody contribute.

Q: I was curious about the run game tonight, what you saw from Rhamondre, TreVeyon and Drake as well?

MV: Yeah, I thought it was good enough. I did. I thought that it was good enough. I thought we were close on a few. Anytime that you can finish the game running the football against the Chargers and a defense like that, I think it's very positive. Certainly we weren't one-dimensional. We were able to run the football. We were able to get some yards on first down. I thought the backs ran hard. I thought they did a great job of taking care of the football. Drake, obviously if he gets the looks that are advantageous, he can take off and run, just like he did last week. He did the same thing this week.

Q: The way the game declared, when did you feel like you got a handle on it?

MV: I think after Drake's pass, after the completion to Hunter, putting us up a couple scores. I thought that was a critical sequence. I thought it was a great drive. We were into drives. We talked all week about fighting to get the first first-down, then we stalled. It was like, Okay, we're getting the first first-down, now we have to fight to finish the drive and do that. That drive we certainly did.

Q: Other than the defense, it certainly feels like your special teams at least keep you in the game for a long period of time. How do you feel about their performance?

MV: I thought it was solid. We didn't have a lot of opportunities. I thought Marcus [Jones] handled the punts extremely well. I thought the decision to let the ball bounce and get a touchback, those are big decisions that we trust Marcus in to come up and catch the punts. The way that we covered kickoffs. I thought it was a very clean game from our special teams perspective. They set the table for everything that we do offensively and defensively. Appreciate you guys.

QUARTERBACK DRAKE MAYE

Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, January 11, 2026

Q: Drake, take us through this night. Certainly was a battle. What did you learn from it? How proud are you?

DM: Proud of this team. We never doubted it. We never doubted 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 very well tonight. Need to be better. We did what we had to do. That's what it takes in the Playoffs. Proud of this team. That was fun to get one at home. Look forward to being back here next week.

Q: You said you didn't throw it very well tonight. Anything that contributed to that?

DM: Just got to be better, whether it's accuracy or ball placement or little things, making decisions faster. Held onto the ball a little bit tonight. Finally got one in the end. I missed Hoop on a touchdown. Feel like I missed Pop on a third down low. It wasn't my best tonight. But that's why you have teammates, those guys picked me up. Never lost confidence. Was still slinging it around. Kayshon made some big plays. Came after the ball twice on some big plays. That's the thing about us, we spread it around, can do a lot of things.

Q: Is Playoff football different? Did it feel different out there with the stakes, the opponent?

DM: Yeah, I think the biggest thing that Coach McDaniels said with the offense, is you come to the stadium with that finality feel. It's win or go home, or win and advance. That's kind of the feeling you get. That's kind of the biggest thing I felt out there. From there, the teams are going to be good. They had a great defense, a great quarterback. We were the better team tonight. We made plays when we needed to.

Q: You talk about nerves set in sometimes at the beginning of the game. Was that going on a little bit in the first half, you had to settle in, make a couple throws, get into who you are?

DM: No, I wouldn't say that. First one to Stef, that's right where I wanted to put it. Picked up the first down. Had the one to Hunter over the middle that I tried to protect from the safety. Probably need to throw, fire it in there a little more. From there, high-pressure throws. Critical plays, I just have to make them. I like my chances of making 'em. I'm not going to think too much about it, move on to next week.

Q: What did you see in terms of their rush lanes and having some open lanes and some opportunities to put it down and take off?

DM: I think they're powerful. Credit to them. Those guys up front, they play hard, they're relentless. They want to get to the passer. Oftentimes when our guys stay inside-out protection, that leaves some lanes for me to take advantage. Play some man in the back end. Anytime you got that, you have a chance to go and make some plays. From there, it was just trying to get down, just give us a chance to pick up some mobile first downs.

Q: How valuable is to it have someone like Rhamondre, who can pick up a big gain on a short dump-off?

DM: It's huge. They always talk about catching, getting up field. He's really consistent. The one on the sideline he broke a tackle, thought he was going to keep going for a while. He's so good at making the first guy miss. So valuable to have him on third down, be able to pass protect, catch it out of the backfield. I missed him a little wide on one of the third downs. Yeah, that happens. Like I said, 'Mondre is a great player for us. He has been all year. He and TreVeyon are fun to be back there and watch. I have the best view in the house.

Q: Family members here tonight. Who was here to support you?

DM: Yeah, my parents come to every game. They're always here. My three brothers were here, which is pretty cool, all three of 'em being here. It's just special sharing these moments with them. Going home, probably playing ping-pong till 1:30 or do something with those guys. Having them in the house is cool. Three of my best friends. Obviously (indiscernible).

Q: During the week, there was a big emphasis on Derwin James, what he can do to an offense, individually. Was there a sense tonight that you went away from him or you made a point of neutralizing him?

DM: Yeah, that was the goal, try not to let him be a factor. They try to put him on the ball, play him at the star, blitz him some. I thought we did a good job handling him. He's going to make plays. That's what great players do. In coverage, he is a good player. He had some man reps tonight. I thought he did a good job. He almost got a hand on the one to Hunter. He's everywhere. With guys like that, you try to neutralize. It's tough when they have guys up front as well that are good players.

Q: Derwin James, on that touchdown pass to Henry, it must have missed Derwin's hands by a couple of inches. How did you process him getting open at the right moment?

DM: Usually got a flat control that kind of holds Derwin. It really didn't. Just trusting Hunt. He just makes big catches over and over. Was a similar throw to the one to Hoop. I missed the one to Hoop. Give him a chance to make the play. Like I said, it's a game of inches. Come up on the right side of it.

Q: You talked about the feeling of win or go home. Can you describe that feeling? Is it an elevated sense of urgency? Excited energy?

DM: Yeah, I think it's just Playoff football. That's what it is. Kind of running out of that tunnel with the crowd, that was a cool moment. I kind of was running off the field like, man, that was pretty sweet, listening to the crowd. I don't know why they put me last. They need to put Stef or somebody that hypes up the crowd. I just kind of run out there. Or Big Willie. Big Willie loves doing something funny. It was cool. Proud of the fans for how they showed up every week. Looking forward to getting back here at home. That is it, Playoff football. That's what we said at the beginning of the season, we want to play home Playoff games in the Playoffs. That's what we did. We are 1-0. We got to go to the next one.

Q: Seems like you got almost every receiver, target, a ball tonight. What does it say about that room, the targets you have to throw to, the weapons you have?

DM: Yeah, I think the biggest thing about that room is they care about each other. Coach Downing, those guys in that room, they do a great job of blocking the run game, doing little details right. We knew it was going to be a details game with how much zone they played. Those guys are fired up in the locker room to win. Everybody made some big plays. Proud of that group for how they've grown up, allowed me to grow with them. They're great players for us. Nobody complains. They all want the ball. I don't blame them because they are all good with it in their hands.

ADDITIONAL PATRIOTS PLAYERS

Stefon Diggs, WR

(On what was going through his mind during the game since there haven't been too many gritty, low scoring games this season)

"That's a great football team. They're well-coached, they're disciplined, they came in with a great game plan. For us, Drake Maye played a hell of a game. I don't know if y'all watched or y'all really know the plays inside and out, but he made good decisions. Everybody worked their tail off. We talked about straining all week and talked about liking us, not about everybody else, and I still don't believe we played our best ball. Even myself included, I want to be better, but I feel like the will to win, it matters. When it comes to X's and O's, they're cool and all, but I guess it's the Willie and the Joe's, they make the difference. Drake's out there playing well, guys making plays, showing up."

(On what he saw from Drake Maye on the sidelines and the huddle after the turnovers and how he bounced back)

"I kind of touched on it a little bit during the week. I expected the same person, and it was the same person I got throughout the season. He's consistent. He's not going to get too high, he's not going to get too low and always focused on that next play. I always tell him, his next play is your what, you know what I'm saying? I think y'all know the rest, but if y'all don't, it's your best play."

(On the defense tonight)

"I'm putting all my chips on the defense. They scored three points. That says a lot about our defense. That's a well-coached team. They had a good offense. They've got a great quarterback over there, they've got a good run game, and they've got some huge O-linemen. So, they play that tough nose, that Harbaugh defense, and coming out with a stand and having them get three points, I don't know how many yards they had, but our defense looks like they're back in rare form."

(On the rookies on the team)

"They're contributing. They're ready. The moment isn't too big for them. I feel like you can trust those guys out there. They've been the same guys. They've been consistent, and we've got a lot to play for. We want one of our brothers back. He'll be back soon, but those young guys are holding it down. They're holding it down how they're supposed to. Throughout the season, you saw them be productive. You might not see them catch many passes, but what they were doing on the practice field, [Efton] Chism [III] has been putting it on display all year, so I'm super proud of him. He's just being a young dog. I called him a dog earlier, I was like, 'Just keep being that, man. I'm super proud of you guys.' You know Kyle Williams. Matter of fact, y'all know Kyle Williams, and y'all going to continue to know Kyle. There you go, give him some love."

Will Campbell, OT

(On his first playoff game)

"It was cool. The stadium was electric tonight, best I've seen it since I've been here. The crowd was into it. Shout out to our defense, they played their tails off tonight, Andy Borregales played his tail off tonight. We started off a little slow, they kept us in it. We were able to put some points up later, but those guys played their tails off too, so hats off to them."

(On how it feels to be moving on)

"It's a blessing. It's what you work for. Get another opportunity to go out there and play, it's everything you can ask for. You got to have a good week, find out who we're playing, just get ready to go."

(On what he saw from Drake)

"He's a very poised player, nothing can really rattle him. Everybody on this team has the most confidence in him to just be him. No matter what happens, everybody in this locker room has full trust in him, that he can lead us and run the show to get us what we need to do and that's exactly what he did."

(On how the team improved and fought through the game)

"Shout out to our defense. They showed up ready to play, they stopped the run, not a lot of passing yards for the other team. They just played their tails off, played with their hair on fire all night. That was huge."

Hunter Henry, TE

(On the game and emotions throughout the game)

"Sixty minutes of a dog fight. Juices were flowing early and obviously we didn't execute to the best of our ability early, but we just kept fighting and kept sticking to it. Credit to our defense for just hanging us in there and just playing unreal all day long. Just really, really cool to watch, just a lot of guys competing at a high level. Continuing to strain and find different ways to make a play. A pretty cool night and the atmosphere was awesome. It was fun."

(On gaining playoff experience with this team)

"It is definitely different than the regular season. It's cool to get everybody out there and come out with a big time win. You feel the environment and feel everything that it takes to win a big time game. It takes everybody, offense, defense and special teams. That was on full display today."

(On his touchdown catch)

"It was honestly just great scheme and great design by Josh [McDaniels]. Good timing. It's something we work on and obviously they're a very predominantly zone team. They played zone and we just caught them. Drake [Maye] obviously threw a great ball. It took all guys and they blitzed a guy I just saw up the middle. TreVeyon [Henderson] made a big time block, I'm pretty sure it was TreVeyon, up the middle right there to give Drake a little extra time. It takes all 11 guys. Kyle [Williams'] speed out there is a threat and guys have to really respect him. [Kyle Williams] ran a great route and they have to respect him. It takes all 11 guys and we were just able to execute in a big moment."

(On the crowd and atmosphere today)

"That was really special and elite. It was really cool to be a part of, it really was. We all felt the energy. Just thankful for Pats Nation and for coming out and for supporting. That was really a special night."

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB

(On his first playoff win)

"It feels great. Like you said, it's my first time getting a playoff win and it was at home, so you know we're going to enjoy it until tomorrow and see who our next opponent is."

(On what's going right for him right now)

"I'm just trying to stay disciplined, trying to stay in the places I need to be. Stay disciplined on my run reads, on where I need to be in the pass game and things like that. I'm just making some plays."

(On the offense today)

"Well, I think every game is a little different. The Chargers defense, that's a good a defense. They fly around and things like that. I think it just took us a little longer than it needed to be for us to settle in and things like that, but we came out with a [win], so we're excited."

(On the team's resolve)

"We're relentless. We're going to fight together, no matter if it's a good play or a bad play. [If we're] going through some ups and downs and things like that, we're going to fight together and see what happens at the end of the game."

(On the team responding to the playoff environment)

"It's great to see. We kind of did it in Baltimore a few weeks ago. We rallied back. Just being in the room with these guys every day, I know how close knit we are and how relentless we are. I know how we stick together, so it wasn't really something I needed to see, but it's great to see."

Milton Williams, DT

(On the team's confidence going forward after tonight's tough win)

"It's playing football, it is going to get ugly, it is going to get nasty. You just have to keep going. Good, bad, whatever. Move on to the next play and figure out what to do to get a stop."

(On Coach Vrabel splitting his lip)

"Man, I was just turning. That is just pure emotion. I think I gave it to everybody, but I forgot that [Coach Vrabel] does not have a helmet on. It will be all right, though."

(On the goal line stand)

"Standing up in the red zone is big. If you play good red zone defense, you are going to win a lot of games. Just a shout-out to our coaching staff, to our players. We stood up when we needed to and got a big stop. Got our offense the ball back and kept the points down."

(On his leadership)

"Like I said, I just keep it simple. I am not a big rah-rah guy unless we are playing. I just keep it simple. Tell the boys, man, this is just another football game. We have been doing this all our lives. Keep it simple. We do not need any superhero, superhuman effort from anybody. Just go out there and do your job and be where you are supposed to be. The rest is going to take care of itself. We did it tonight."

(On his return to the lineup)

"Football is a tough sport. You are going to go down and you are going to miss some games. Shout-out to our training staff. Make sure guys come in every day and do what they need to do to get back. Shout-out to our strength staff, keeping guys ready, keeping us in shape, making sure we are lifting. And our nutrition staff, making sure we get our food. Everything that we need to do. They have been helping us check out all the boxes."

Robert Spillane, LB

(On being back on the field and the defensive effort)

"First and foremost, I am just so proud of this defense. We have really come together, and to hold an offense like that to three points in a playoff game is huge for us. It is just another boost of confidence for what we have already been doing all year, so we are just going to continue sticking to the game plan that we have been on and take it from here."

(On the early goal line stand after the Chargers interception)

"Early in the game, you know you need a stop. It is first-and-10 on the 10-yard line, and for us to come out of there, only giving up three points was our defensive goal. If we did not get a turnover there, we wanted to hold them to three, and for us to get that done was such a huge start for us early in the game. Eventually, keeping them out of the end zone altogether, in this game was huge."

(On Zak Kuhr's blitz packages)

"Zak [Kuhr] has been great all year. He keeps the dial spinning. He keeps offenses guessing. All year, he has been doing that. You know, just after the game, talking to a few of the guys on the other team, they had no clue what we were doing. And they came up and said that, 'We had no clue what you guys were in all game.' So for him just to be able to build those packages throughout the week, our back-end players to know how to disguise the different defenses, really keeps quarterbacks guessing."

(On pressuring Justin Herbert throughout the game)

"Our defensive line did a phenomenal job. Milton [Williams], KC [K'Lavon Chaisson], guys that are called upon in big situations, coming up with big-time plays. I could not be happier for those guys. Marcus Jones coming off the edge. He's always a feisty blitzer, and he gets the job done. So, for him to be able to come out and Milt [Milton Williams] with that game-winning sack, just to seal it, it is huge for us. We are just going to continue to build on what we already know works."

(On what Milton Williams means to the defense)

"You look back at how our season started, and it started in Miami with the Milton Williams' game-winning sack. So, for us to be able to be in the playoffs and him to come up with a huge play like that, I'm going to just go tell him we are going to need more of that. So, everything that you have given us, just give us some more. I know he will because he is a hard-nosed player who comes out and works every day."

K'Lavon Chaisson, LB

(On his strip sack)
"We knew going into the week, obviously their quarterback was having some issues with his hand. So, ball security was going to be a thing going into the week. So, every chance we get to attack the ball, get the ball out, and when we do, we need the opportunity. We talk about that all the time with [Coach Vrabel], every chance we get, attack the ball with violence and effort, and that is going to do it. It's an opportunity every time we get a chance to get around the quarterback. Like I said, we knew he had a hand problem going into it, just try to punch the ball out for sure."

(On what made the pass rush so productive)
"Just violence and aggression. Just who wants it more, and that is all this game was about. We knew we had opportunities. Shout out to the defensive backs and the back seven, just giving us a couple extra seconds to get to the quarterback."

(On Coach Vrabel leading the team by example with grit)
"It is huge, man. I think [Coach Vrabel] obviously still wants to play. That experience, the excitement, the aggression. I think that is the true identity that we all try to display and get on the field. Grateful to go to war with a guy like that, and I know he will not ever change for sure. So exciting to be with him."

Carlton Davis III, CB

(On the way they approached the Chargers game plan)

"I mean, I'm not going to give you the secret sauce, so I would never do that. But we did have a good feel for what they wanted to do. Obviously, it's the playoffs, and you're going to be who you are in the playoffs. You're not going to go out there and try different stuff. So, as long as we lock in and study other habits and what they do, I think we'll have a good chance every week moving on."

(On how they allowed less than 10 points tonight)

"Just playing complimentary football, going out there, everybody just doing their job. I think that's the biggest thing. Everybody's worried about what they have to do, and being accountable for one another. I think the biggest thing is — this team — we don't want to let each other down. So, everybody went out there and played their game. We got to get better, but it was good enough tonight."

(On if the team feels like an underdog during playoffs)

"Me personally, I'm not really worried about being an underdog, or what people are saying around the league. I just sort of go out there and prove it. I think this team wants to go out there and prove it. A lot of the things we talk about in our locker room is not worrying about the outside noise, concentrating on what we have to do, and playing to our identity."

Marcus Jones, CB

(On the atmosphere tonight)
"Oh, I loved it. I would definitely say the fans were loud, and you could tell by the false starts that the Chargers had that everything made a difference within the game. And then the home atmosphere, having everyone be loud and everything like that for the offense. Also, making it hard for the opposing teams on the defensive side. We love it."

(On making big plays on third down)
"Yeah, we knew going into the game they were a good third down offense. Our main thing is always to end up putting them in certain situations. So, get back on track, having a good first down so that they are behind the sticks on second down. So, being able to do those things — kind of put it into our hands — because we are also good on third down. We were just trying to make sure we play good first and second down defense."

(On getting a home playoff win and a chance next week)
"Yeah, I was just happy and a lot of people on the team were happy to bring a playoff game home, being able to host it. It means a lot. Our fans come out and support us, and we always want to put on the show when it comes down to it. There has been legacy here for a minute, and we are trying to get our own. We are trying to take it one game at a time, so we are glad to get the W tonight."

Jaylinn Hawkins, S

(On the defensive coverage)

"We were pretty tight tonight. Everybody was sticky. [Justin] Herbert's a great player, let me say that first. Great team, great receiving core. We knew that it was going to be a challenge going in. We knew what they were going to bring, but the plays and stuff they were trying to hit us with, we were on it. We were alert, we were sound, we played all together, we were all on that. We just have to build from it going into the next round, round two, and keep it going."

(On what the defense did to disguise coverage)

"You just go into preparation throughout the week. We harped on the little things this past week. We were on it all together, focused on stuff. Going into this week, we have to tighten up the screws even more. These weeks get tighter and tighter, opponents get better and better, so just tighten up the screws. We were all sound, we were coordinated, we messed around a little bit, disguised a little bit. We were having fun out there."

(On the pass rush building momentum)

"I felt that. From drive to drive, I'm just seeing [Herbert] moving around the pocket and obviously he's a good athlete, so he's going to get his scrambles, he'll run for 10 [yards] or however long. But we got to him and it was good to see."

Andy Borregales, K

(On how it feels to be a rookie kicker in the playoffs)

"It feels great. I really just go in there not really dwelling on the fact that it's a playoff game. I just go in there and just treat it like any other game. No moment's too high, no moment's too low. I like to stay neutral. That's how I like to say it. I just go from there and stay neutral."

(On what it was like to see this tight game unfold)

"You've got to stay locked in no matter what. Even if we're up big, or it's a close one. I really don't look at the score much, just because I can go in at any moment, you never know. But, it was very exciting to watch, obviously on the sidelines. I know what's at stake, but when I go in, I'm kind of just not thinking about it."

(On completing his first playoff game)

"Yeah, definitely. On my way here I was like, 'wow.' I kind of took a step back and was like, 'Dang, playoffs. My rookie year.' Not too many people can say that. I just praise God for that."

(On if he visualized himself in big playoff moments)

"Yeah, there's been a lot of times like that. Lots of dreams, lots of daydreaming. But actually being able to live it, is a different experience. All I have to do really is just praise God and thank him for the path that he has me on. Just following his path, wherever he guides me, I'm going."