Some had wondered if these were the same New England Patriots that earned eight Super Bowl appearances under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
In fact, a good number of experts picked the Los Angeles Chargers to go into Gillette and win during the divisional round of the playoffs Sunday morning.
If the first half of the game was any indication, that’s certainly not going to happen. New England opened up a 28-7 lead with north of six minutes left in the first quarter. Tom Brady completed 16-of-20 passes for 183 yards in the first four drives alone — each resulting in a touchdown. That span saw the Pats put up a whopping 287 total yards and 19 first downs.
Yeah, it was a beat down from the get. And Twitter had its reactions.
Other AFC Teams: We just want to win in the playoffs
Tom Brady and the Patriots: https://t.co/oz6ZzwPJEh
— What the Sports (@realwtsports) January 13, 2019
How Tom Brady and the Patriots walking into the AFC Championship https://t.co/Gk0G5rsLUH
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) January 13, 2019
Chargers defense wondering how to stop the Patriots pic.twitter.com/9LEageNmx0
— Chuk Morka 🇳🇬 🇺🇸 (@ChukMorka) January 13, 2019
Patriots made us think they were dead in the water all season and I fell for the shenanigans
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) January 13, 2019
Patriots offense right now pic.twitter.com/0BdpoAiMBn
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) January 13, 2019
The 3 safety look isn’t a sound defensive strategy because you’re asking safeties to hold up against t.e’s and ol in the run gm. Chargers got away with it because Ravens (Jackson) never saw it b4. Pats were prepared for it this wk and they’re punishing it.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) January 13, 2019
Chargers so far: "Hey, at least we've held Gronk to no touches."
— Ian O'Connor (@Ian_OConnor) January 13, 2019
This is the second-most points the Patriots have ever scored in the first half of a playoff game. They had 35 in 2011 playoffs vs. Tim Tebow.
— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) January 13, 2019
so many people said the chargers were going to “end the patriots dynasty” today lmao
— abdul 🌌📷 (@Advil) January 13, 2019