The Patriots scored early and often and lit up the Chargers for 45 points in a 45-7 victory over San Diego.
Quarterback Drew Bledsoe earned game honors for his near flawless performance. In just over three quarters of action, Bledsoe completed 19 of 29 attempts (65.5 percent) for 232 yards and four touchdowns and was not intercepted to finish with a quarterback rating of 136.0 for the game, the second highest of his young career.
On their opening drive of the game, the Patriots drove 64 yards in seven plays, alternating pas and run plays throughout a drive, which was capped by an 8-yard strike from Bledsoe to Terry Glenn. The Patriots took a 14-0 lead in the first on their second possession, which was capped by a 19-yard pass from Bledsoe to Keith Byars. The Chargers answered with a 46-yard bomb from Stan Humphries to Tony Martin, also in the first to pull back to within seven points. But that was as close as the Chargers would get, as the Patriots held San Diego scoreless in the final three quarters and cruised to a 45-7 triumph. Turnovers proved to be the difference of the game, as the Patriots forced six charges miscues, including four interceptions. It was the eighth straight series victory over the Chargers. The Patriots have not lost to the Chargers since 1970 – in the final year of the AFL.
