Best Of Social Media: AFC Divisional Playoffs Chargers vs Patriots

The New England Patriots entered the AFC Divisional Playoffs against he Los Angeles Chargers seeking to continue their long standing success against the franchise under quarterback Tom Brady.

With a win, Brady would move to 8-0 lifetime against the Phillip Rivers led Chargers and advance to the AFC Championship game for the eighth consecutive season.

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Damn it…..Let's Go! Everything You Got! pic.twitter.com/RF85nKOaLO
— Troy Brown (@RealTroyBrown80) January 13, 2019

January football. #LFG pic.twitter.com/7X8GMIxjnZ
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) January 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084506612801236992

If The Patriots win today, it would be Tom Brady’s 13th AFC title game appearance in 18 seasons as a starter..excluding 2008 when he missed 15 games. That’s 76.5%. Which means Brady is more likely to be in the title game than Lebron James is to make a free throw, 73%
— trey wingo (@wingoz) January 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/NBCSPatriots/status/1084505870594117633

Moment of silence for Chargers DT Brandon Mebane’s daughter, Makenna, who tragically passed away before LA’s wild-card game. pic.twitter.com/Sg9q7BYwuI
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) January 13, 2019

A moment of silence for Makenna Mebane.

Thank you, @Patriots.
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 13, 2019

Beautiful gesture by the Patriots to honor Makenna Mebane with a moment of silence pic.twitter.com/6JBe4n6K9Y
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 13, 2019

Many love to hate the @Patriots for a variety of reasons… but as a father of 7 I cant imagine the pain of losing a child, so I want to recognize the class move of ‘the moment of silence’ at Gillette for #MakennaMebane daughter of opposing player @Mebane92! #Salute #BiggerThanFB
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) January 14, 2019

https://twitter.com/wilfork75/status/1084513162718822400

In the first quarter, the Patriots got the ball first and immediately got to work with the running back corps.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084516480971005954

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084516732079726593

Tom Brady missed just one pass on that opening drive: pic.twitter.com/BqQc1WtdWg
— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) January 13, 2019

A one-yard run by Sony Michel put the Patriots up 7-0 early after an impressive seven minute drive.

However the Chargers would respond quick after this breakdown by the Patriots secondary.

Seven all thanks to a 43 yard pass from Philip Rivers to Keenan Allen.

Stephon Gilmore letting Keenan Allen just hang out pic.twitter.com/U6ck3rDaBf
— 12upSports (@12upSports) January 13, 2019

It would be the last mistake Gilmore would make all game.

#Chargers QB Philip Rivers targeting #Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore after the 43-yard TD to Keenan Allen early: 0-5, INT, PBU, 0.0 passer rating.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) January 14, 2019

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084520429329367040

Looking to regain the lead, Sony Michel continued to tear up the Charger defense for his second score of the quarter. 14-7 Patriots after one

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084521270237003776

https://twitter.com/TG3II/status/1084520663157600256

In the second quarter, the Patriots began to pull as Brady found Phillip Dorsett for a 21-7 lead.

Phillip Dorsett has caught the last 18 targets sent his way from Tom Brady. Wow. #Patriots
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) January 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084525370697646080

https://twitter.com/RealLoganRyan/status/1084525645777063938

Julian Edelman really is catching EVERYTHING today pic.twitter.com/6T0OQMDhT4
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084529608479797248

A career high 40 yard run by Michel setup the Patriots fourth touchdown of the half. A 28-7 Patriots lead midway through the second.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084530596557205504

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084531289749782528

The Patriots are treating the Chargers the way the Chargers treated the city of San Diego. 28-7 in the second quarter.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 13, 2019

Four drives. Four touchdowns for the #Patriots. Never been done in Pats history.

Ever been done in #NFL playoff history?
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) January 13, 2019

The Patriots are the 1st team with a TD on each of their first 4 drives of a postseason game since the Colts did it to the Broncos in the 2003 Wild Card game.

No team since 2001 has scored a TD on each of their first 5 drives of a postseason game.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) 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

And just for fun..the longest playoff deficit overcome in Foxboro by a visiting team? 6 points in 2012 https://t.co/s1zKhxkJDZ
— trey wingo (@wingoz) January 13, 2019

After four scoring drives to open the game, the Chargers defense finally forced a punt, only to immediately give it back to the Patriots.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084533210233548800

Who else but Sony? The running back would cash in on the turnover for his third touchdown of the half an unprecedented 35-7 Patriots halftime lead.

The 35 first half points tied a franchise record set in the 2011 divisional round against the Tim Tebow Denver Broncos.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084535099280875520

Press-box announcement: Sony Michel's 3 rushing TDs marks just the fourth time in Patriots history that a running back has had 3 or more rushing TDs in a game. Michel joins LeGarrette Blount (twice) and Curtis Martin (1).
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 13, 2019

The 35 points in the first half tie the Patriots franchise playoff record for points in first half and are tied for sixth overall (reg or postseason.
— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) January 13, 2019

Tom Brady's First Half Totals:
23/29 (79.3%) 233yds 1TD

By Down:
1st: 8/12 (66.7%) 85yds
2nd: 10/11 (90.9%) 105yds
3rd: 5/6 (83.3%) 43yds 1TD
— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) January 13, 2019

Tom Brady missed just six passes in the first half and closed things out by hitting his last seven passes: pic.twitter.com/rvKmxWqZb4
— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) January 13, 2019

Great first half for Sony Michel, who so far has 16 carries for 105yds and 3TDs pic.twitter.com/DzTLZKUTzC
— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) January 13, 2019

While the Patriots defense continued to keep the Charger offense off the field, Brady continued to attack their defense.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084541502192111616

According to the NFL, that incompletion to Chris Hogan was Tom Brady's 1500th career postseason pass attempt, extending his own NFL record.
— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) January 13, 2019

Philip Rivers’ favorite receiver today has been Patriots Bench.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 13, 2019

James White is the first player in postseason history with at least 12 receptions in multiple games (also in Super Bowl LI).

Jerry Rice never had 12 receptions in a postseason game. pic.twitter.com/qwltifBu8N
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 13, 2019

A Stephen Gostkowski 38 yard field goal pushed the lead to 38-7.

A Melvin Gordon touchdown gave the Chargers their second touchdown of the game to make it 38-14 Patriots after three.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084551165835005952

According to the NFL, after that 4yd pass to Chris Hogan, Tom Brady just set the record for consecutive postseason passes without an interception. He now has 227 and counting, eclipsing Drew Brees' mark of 226.
— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) January 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084552041064624128

https://twitter.com/JRbroadcaster/status/1084553487139127297

A Stephen Gostkowski 30 yard field goal made it 41-14 Patriots to open the fourth quarter.

With the Patriots leading by 27, Gillette Stadium broke out in song led by Jon Bon Jovi.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084561338070749185

https://twitter.com/barstooltweetss/status/1084552141895884800

It's 41-14. There's 11:47 left in the game. The Chargers just punted. It's 20 degrees out.

Tom Brady made Brian Hoyer play catch with him on the sideline before joining the huddle.

Tom Brady loves playing football.
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) January 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/OnlyInBOS/status/1084555353998745606

Phillip Rivers found Virgil Green for six and converted a two point attempt to make it 41-22 with seven minutes to go.

Sony Michel is the first rookie in #Patriots history to rush for 100+ yards in a playoff game https://t.co/xIMEdCeCAJ pic.twitter.com/pqJkJlPAT1
— Pro Football Reference (@pfref) January 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/985TheSportsHub/status/1084556386623766529

James White now has 15 receptions, which is a new career high for him and ties Darren Sproles' single-game postseason record.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) January 13, 2019

Darren Sproles set the single-game playoff record with 15 receptions on Jan. 14, 2012.

James White, who stood in second for his 14 in Super Bowl LI, has now tied him.

Kellen Winslow Sr., Thurman Thomas, Shannon Sharpe, Chad Morton, T.Y. Hilton and Demaryius Thomas reached 13.
— Oliver Thomas (@OliverBThomas) January 13, 2019

Stephon Gilmore hasn't allowed a catch on three targets since Allen's 43-yard TD in the first quarter.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) January 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084560750113247232

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsmE8DHFHto/

Patriots cornerback coverage stats so far:

Jackson 5-12, 67 yards, two PBUs, DPI
Gilmore: 1-5, 43 yards, TD, PBU, INT, holding penalty
J McCourty: 5-8, 108 yards, PBU
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) January 13, 2019

When the promotion says “kids eat free” but it’s limited to 5 or less pic.twitter.com/BnGNAjeEaw
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 13, 2019

With the Chargers still trailing by multiple scores, Rivers found his old tight end Antonio Gates for an eight yard touchdown in what may be his final NFL game.

The Chargers failed to convert a two-point attempt as the Patriots took over to put the game away on a few kneel downs.

https://twitter.com/mattdolloff/status/1084641028450197504

Tom Brady has more playoff wins (28) than Peyton Manning (14) and Brett Favre (13) combined (CC). (1/1).
— Mut at Night (@MutAtNightWEEI) January 13, 2019

The last AFC Championship Game to not involve the #Patriots was the Jets at Steelers in the 2010 season.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) January 13, 2019

Tom Brady missed just four passes in the second half after completing 11/15 (73.3%) for 110yds. Terrific game for the veteran. pic.twitter.com/pFu1CCS6VN
— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) January 13, 2019

The New England Patriots advance to their eighth consecutive AFC Championship game in Kansas City against the Chiefs next Sunday night.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084568851587715073

Sundays with Sony.@Flyguy2stackz | #EverythingWeGot pic.twitter.com/MiW7YsU9nU
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 14, 2019

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084569316182380544

https://twitter.com/NBCSCameraGuys/status/1084607472172707840

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084585017567862789

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Tom Brady Final Totals:
34/44 (77.3%) 343yds 1TD

By Down:
1st: 11/17 (64.7%) 152yds
2nd: 14/16 (87.5%) 119yds
3rd: 9/11 (81.8%) 72yds 1TD
— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) January 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1084606046289616897

15 catches for @SweetFeet_White
151 yards for @edelman11
3 TDs for @Flyguy2stackz
And a pretty good game by some guy named Brady pic.twitter.com/2WZRTzK3Ac
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 13, 2019

Playoff time is @SweetFeet_White time.

Ties Darren Sproles for the most receptions in a playoff game, breaking his previous career-high of 14, aka the second-most receptions in a playoff game in @nfl history. pic.twitter.com/HMV7hd87HC
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 13, 2019