The New England Patriots dominated the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday en route to a 45-0 victory. The win improved the team’s record to 6-6 and featured some dominant play in all three phases of the game — including two touchdowns on special teams and two turnovers. It was a complete blowout by the visitors, featuring some big plays.
Of course, you know the drill: take a look at the plays featured below, and please make sure to vote for your favorite below. The play with the most votes, as always, will be broken down in greater detail later during the week.
1.) Gunner Olszewski, punt returner
GUNNER! pic.twitter.com/06XX7xWWXh
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) December 6, 2020
Already up 7-0 thanks to a Cam Newton touchdown from one yard out, the Patriots defense forced a stop in the early second quarter — one that set up Gunner Olszewski’s first career touchdown. The second-year punt returner was able to get through the Chargers’ tackling attempts to take the kick 70 yards to the house. A tremendous play by both Olszewski and the blockers in front of him.
2.) Cam Newton’s second touchdown
Cam TD No 2. pic.twitter.com/Zu8FYSY7IY
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) December 6, 2020
Cam Newton finished with only 69 passing yards but he looked terrific on the ground by converting a fourth down and finding the end zone twice. His second touchdown run was especially impressive as he fought his way across the goal line for six more points. Newton certainly bounced back nicely from an underwhelming performance last week.
3.) Block, scoop, score
Block ➡️ Touchdown pic.twitter.com/RpouxpKw6I
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) December 6, 2020
The Chargers attempted to get on the board just before the half by attempting a 58-yard field goal. What followed, however, was disaster for them: Cody Davis blocked the kick and the loose ball was scooped up by Devin McCourty and returned 44 yards for another Patriots touchdown. The score was the fourth of McCourty’s career, and second after a pick-six earlier during the season.
4.) Chase Winovich’s first pick
1st career INT for Wino pic.twitter.com/tb1EOT3qrH
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) December 6, 2020
While Devin McCourty has experience coming up with the opposing football, Chase Winovich is new to it. However, he made a tremendous play in the third quarter to end Los Angeles’ first possession of the half: the second-year linebacker dropped back into coverage to pick off a throw by Justin Herbert intended for wide receiver Jalen Guyton. An impressive play by one of the Patriots’ rising stars.
5.) N’Keal Harry’s touchdown
Cam. N’Keal. Touchdown. pic.twitter.com/VL5hY5wQDO
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) December 6, 2020
Another second-year man to stand out in a positive way was N’Keal Harry. While he finished the game with only two catches for 15 total yards, his second reception was a 5-yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton. Harry was able to get the score by out-leveraging Chargers cornerback Chris Harris and using his size advantage to come away with the reception. The score was just his second of the season, and his first end zone connection with the Patriots’ starting quarterback this year.
6.) J.C. Jackson’s interception
Mr. INT strikes again.#ProBowlVote J.C. Jackson pic.twitter.com/tHKcbMm9aG
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) December 6, 2020
Mr. INT himself was responsible for the Patriots’ second takeaway: J.C. Jackson, who later left the game with an injury, picked off a fourth down pass attempt intended for Keenan Allen. While simply knocking down the ball would have been the better play from a field position perspective, Jackson made an impressive play on the ball to register his seventh pick of the year.
7.) Gunner Olszewski, wide receiver
Stiddy + Gun Show = TD pic.twitter.com/MVWZt529pt
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) December 7, 2020
Gunner Olszewski had a career performance versus the Chargers, and he capped it with his first ever receiving touchdown. While the game was already decided at that point, the former defensive back was still able to get open and haul in a pass from backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham for a 38-yard scoring catch.
Now it’s your turn: What do you think was the biggest play from the Patriots’ win over the Chargers?
Poll
Which play was the biggest from New England’s win over LA?
This poll is closed
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68%
Gunner Olszewski punt return touchdown
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2%
Cam Newton second touchdown
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19%
Devin McCourty touchdown
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1%
Chase Winovich intercetion
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3%
N’Keal Harry touchdown
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0%
J.C. Jackson interception
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4%
Gunner Olszewski receiving touchdown
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0%
Other (name in comments)