4. Keep on Punting and Punting and Punting…
During a back-and-forth punt-fest in the third quarter that featured three combined punts and no points scored, the Patriots showed some signs of life, partially helped by the emergence of two big plays from DeVante Parker, a 21-yarder and a 27-yarder. Those plays played a part in helping New England establish better field position.
That punt-fest continued well into the fourth quarter, despite a 39-yard rush by Tyquan Thornton that demonstrated the kind of speed potential that second-year receiver has. That drive came to an abrupt end after sacks on third and fourth down, as New England tried to stay aggressive with the game clock winding down. The Patriots passed up a potential field goal attempt that would’ve been just under 50 yards. Instead, they saw their fourth-down pass protection crumble as they allowed their fifth sack of the game to that point.
Yet again the defense forced another punt by the Chargers, bringing us to a total of 15 punts in the game with just under five minutes left to play, but New England could not capitalize late in the game.
A final Patriots drive would come to an end with an incomplete fourth-down pass as New England was shut out at home for the second time this season and held under 10 points for the fifth time in 2023. The Chargers closed the game out by converting one final third down, taking to the air with a clutch pass from Herbert that went for 29 yards and sent LA to the victory formation.