The New England Patriots took one step closer in route to their 6th Super Bowl win in a dominating win 

over the Los Angeles Chargers, 41-28, in the divisional playoffs to earn a trip to their eighth straight AFC championship game. It will be the 13th conference championship game appearance in the Brady- Belichick era. The Patriots scored on its first four possessions of the game to take a commanding 35-7 lead into the half. The Chargers added three touchdowns on top of their one in the first, but it was too little, too late. Brady finished the game 34 of 44 for 343 yards and a touchdown. He improves to 8-0 as a starter against Rivers, who drops to 1-8 against New England all-time.

Philip Rivers finished 25 of 51 for 331 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. He is

0-5 in games played in Foxborough, including 0-3 in the postseason. Los Angeles lost for just the second time on the road and first time outside Los Angeles this season. In its past four trips to the playoffs, Los Angeles has lost in the divisional round. The Patriots will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship for a chance to make their 10th Super Bowl appearance.