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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 received a bear hug after the Patriots defense stopped the Los Angeles Chargers on their final drive to secure the 16-3 victory. Williams hit Vrabel with his mask. The coach was seen bleeding from his lip as he approached the other cheerful members of his team.
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks at a news conference after an NFL wild card playoff football game in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
“We talked to them about being willing to spill some blood, having the big dogs come out in January,” Vrabel told reporters after the game. “I think Milt took that to heart in the way he played the game, in the way he finished the game. He came up and got me pretty good. 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 Jan. 11, 2026. (David Butler II/Image Images)
Williams had two of the six sacks on Herbert.
“Man, I was upset,” Williams said during his moment with Vrabel. “That’s pure excitement. I think I head-butted everyone, but I forgot that Vrabes isn’t wearing a helmet. He’ll be fine, though.”
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel on the sidelines of the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 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. It is the first time New England will play in the Divisional Round since they won the Super Bowl in the 2018 season with Bill Belichick as head coach and Tom Brady as quarterback.
