From a defensive standpoint, one could argue the Patriots earned their fifth W. The *Boston Herald* highlights a Pats D that stepped up when the offense couldn't convert on fourth-and-1 in waning regulation. The story calls attention to two loose balls picked up by the wiser safety James Sanders and linebacker Rob Ninkovich, who ran his turnover back 63 yards, an interception from cornerback Devin McCourty and the shunning tackle two yards short of a Charger first down by safety Sergio Brown on San Diego's final drive, forcing the Chargers into a failed 50-yard field goal attempt.
Read a similar story in the *Herald* and on *ESPNBoston.com*.
If you would argue a W could be charged to San Diego, the *Boston Globe* spells out a laundry list of blunders the 2-5 Chargers inflicted on themselves throughout yesterday evening's 23-20 contest in favor of a not-so-sharp New England. The story cites the Patriots led 23-6 with 11:27 to go before its D allowed two back-to-back 60-yard drives by the Chargers to get them within 3 and compares Pats quarterback Tom Brady's offensive performance to Chargers QB Phillip Rivers, who threw 336 yards to Brady's 159.
Read similar stories in the *Globe* and on *ESPNBoston.com*.
*ESPNBoston.com* offers insight into Patriots coach Bill Belichick's questionable call on New Englands' final fourth-and-1. ESPN also breaks the numbers down here.
Read more about the Pats' 23-20 squeaker on *ESPNBoston.com* and in the *Boston Herald*. Read a full-game recap on *ESPNBoston.com*.
Also, Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather's more refined approach to hard-nosed defense in the *Boston Globe*.
