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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel got a little more than he bargained for when he celebrated with defensive lineman Milton Williams on Sunday night.
Vrabel gave a hug after the Patriots defense stopped the Los Angeles Chargers on their final drive to secure the 16-3 victory. Williams cut Vrabel with his mask. The coach was seen bleeding from his lip as he turned to the other joyful members of his team.
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during a news conference after an NFL playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
“We told them they were ready to shed blood and the big dogs would come out in January,” Vrabel told reporters after the match. “I think Milt took that to heart in the way he played the game, in the way he finished the game. He came in and did me pretty well. That’s what happens.”
The Chargers were 1 of 10 on third downs and 1 of 3 on fourth downs during the game. The defense forced a fumble and sacked Justin Herbert six times.
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New England Patriots defensive end Milton Williams (97) celebrates a sack during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026. (David Butler II/Imagn Images)
Williams had two of six sacks on Herbert.
“Man, I was just flipped,” Williams said during his moment with Vrabel. “It’s just pure emotion. I think I headbutted everyone, but I forgot that Vrabes didn’t have a helmet. But he’ll be fine.”
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
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The Patriots will face the winner of the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round. This is New England’s first time in the divisional round since winning the Super Bowl in the 2018 season with Bill Belichick as head coach and Tom Brady as quarterback.
