New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers: 2021 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-10-31, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 27–24 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 53 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) paced the passing game, with -8.67 total EPA, and -15.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Palmer (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.65 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-34.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (10:20) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right intended for 87-J.Cook INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Phillips at LAC 26. 21-A.Phillips for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 J. Palmer · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.65 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.65 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Jackson · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +4.37 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.46 EPA/play
3. 3 N. Agholor · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.98 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
4. 4 N. Harry · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.37 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Allen · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.23 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Ekeler · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +1.99 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Bolden · New England Patriots · Rushing · +1.09 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Guyton · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +0.89 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Los Angeles Chargers — A. Ekeler (Q1 56:03)
• New England Patriots — D. Harris (Q1 51:31)
• Los Angeles Chargers — K. Allen (J. Herbert pass) (Q2 42:40)
• New England Patriots — A. Phillips (Q4 10:20)
• Los Angeles Chargers — J. Palmer (J. Herbert pass) (Q4 0:47)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — N. Folk (Q2 33:33)
• New England Patriots — N. Folk (Q2 30:15)
• New England Patriots — N. Folk (Q3 18:44)
• Los Angeles Chargers — D. Hopkins (Q3 15:44)
• New England Patriots — N. Folk (Q4 2:23)
• New England Patriots — J. Bailey (Q4 2:19)
• New England Patriots — J. Herbert (Q4 2:12)
• New England Patriots — J. Herbert (Q4 2:00)
• New England Patriots — J. Herbert (Q4 1:38)
• New England Patriots — J. Herbert (Q4 1:28)
• New England Patriots — M. Jones (Q4 0:39)
• New England Patriots — unlisted player (Q4 0:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NE 5 (Q1 56:03) — (11:03) (Shotgun) 30-A.Ekeler up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q1 55:54) — 6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q1 51:31) — (6:31) 37-D.Harris left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q1 51:26) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–6. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NE 5 (Q2 42:40) — (12:40) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 13-K.Allen for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q2 42:35) — 6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the LAC 6 (Q2 33:33) — (3:33) 6-N.Folk 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the LAC 30 (Q2 30:15) — (:15) 6-N.Folk 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the LAC 30 (Q3 18:44) — (3:44) 6-N.Folk 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the NE 30 (Q3 15:44) — (:44) 6-D.Hopkins 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 32–21. New England Patriots found the end zone from the NE 78 (Q4 10:20); New England Patriots registered a safety from the LAC 2 (Q4 10:11) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-M.Jones pass to 16-J.Meyers is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the LAC 12 (Q4 2:23) — (2:23) 6-N.Folk 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NE 35 (Q4 2:19) — 7-J.Bailey kicks 66 yards from NE 35 to LAC -1. 7-A.Roberts to LAC 28 for 29 yards (48-J.Tavai; 18-M.Slater).; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NE 72 (Q4 2:12) — (2:12) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 30-A.Ekeler to LAC 35 for 7 yards (53-K.Van Noy).; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NE 65 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short left to 13-K.Allen to LAC 41 for 6 yards (41-M.Bryant) [92-D.Godchaux].; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NE 59 (Q4 1:38) — (1:38) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass incomplete deep right to 15-J.Guyton.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NE 67 (Q4 1:28) — (1:28) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 15-J.Guyton pushed ob at NE 49 for 18 yards (2-J.Mills).; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NE 24 (Q4 0:47) — (:47) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 5-J.Palmer for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q4 0:40) — 6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the LAC 46 (Q4 0:39) — (:39) 10-M.Jones kneels to LAC 47 for -1 yards.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the LAC 46 (Q4 0:39) — (:39) 10-M.Jones kneels to LAC 47 for -1 yards.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal (Q4 0:00) — END GAME; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone (Q4 0:00) — END GAME.

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 10:20) — (10:20) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right intended for 87-J.Cook INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Phillips at LAC 26. 21-A.Phillips for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -34.4% · EPA -7.02]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 44:48) — (14:48) 22-J.Jackson left end to NE 11 for 75 yards (27-J.Jackson). [WPA +15.3% · EPA +5.30]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 31:06) — (1:06) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle intended for 30-A.Ekeler INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Phillips at NE 48. 21-A.Phillips to LAC 40 for 12 yards (63-C.Linsley). [WPA -12.8% · EPA -4.17]
• New England Patriots (Q3 25:39) — (10:39) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass short right to 84-K.Bourne to LAC 30 for 7 yards (33-D.James). FUMBLES (33-D.James), RECOVERED by LAC-24-N.Adderley at LAC 25. 24-N.Adderley to LAC 25 for no gain (25 [WPA -11.5% · EPA -3.20]
• New England Patriots (Q3 22:29) — (7:29) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass short middle to 16-J.Meyers to LAC 45 for 14 yards (32-A.Gilman) [93-J.Jones]. [WPA +10.6% · EPA +2.41]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 10:20) — (10:20) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right intended for 87-J.Cook INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Phillips at LAC 26. 21-A.Phillips for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -34.4% · EPA -7.02]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 44:48) — (14:48) 22-J.Jackson left end to NE 11 for 75 yards (27-J.Jackson). [WPA +15.3% · EPA +5.30]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 0:47) — (:47) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 5-J.Palmer for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +3.1% · EPA +4.65]
• New England Patriots (Q2 38:39) — (8:39) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass incomplete short left to 16-J.Meyers. [WPA -5.8% · EPA -4.33]

Quarterback report card

J.Herbert led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Chargers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) · 40 dropbacks · 45.0% completion · -15.1% CPOE · -0.22 EPA/play · -8.67 total EPA
• M.Jones (New England Patriots) · 39 dropbacks · 46.2% completion · -11.0% CPOE · -0.00 EPA/play · -0.08 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.02 vs -0.12), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Los Angeles Chargers: 12 drives, -9.01 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 12 drives, -1.99 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• J. Palmer (Los Angeles Chargers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Herbert (LAC) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• M. Jones (NE) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 56:03 · NE 5 · Score 0-6
   (11:03) (Shotgun) 30-A.Ekeler up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 55:54 · NE 15 · Score 0-7
   6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.
3. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 51:31 · LAC 1 · Score 6-7
   (6:31) 37-D.Harris left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 51:26 · LAC 15 · Score 7-7
   6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.
5. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 42:40 · NE 5 · Score 7-13
   (12:40) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 13-K.Allen for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 42:35 · NE 15 · Score 7-14
   6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.
7. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 33:33 · LAC 6 · Score 10-14
   (3:33) 6-N.Folk 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.
8. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:15 · LAC 30 · Score 13-14
   (:15) 6-N.Folk 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.
9. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 18:44 · LAC 30 · Score 16-14
   (3:44) 6-N.Folk 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.
10. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q3 15:44 · NE 30 · Score 16-17
    (:44) 6-D.Hopkins 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.
11. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 10:20 · NE 78 · Score 22-17
    (10:20) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right intended for 87-J.Cook INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Phillips at LAC 26. 21-A.Phillips for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New England Patriots Safety (+2) — Q4 10:11 · LAC 2 · Score 24-17
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-M.Jones pass to 16-J.Meyers is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
13. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 2:23 · LAC 12 · Score 27-17
    (2:23) 6-N.Folk 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.
14. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 2:19 · NE 35 · Score 27-17
    7-J.Bailey kicks 66 yards from NE 35 to LAC -1. 7-A.Roberts to LAC 28 for 29 yards (48-J.Tavai; 18-M.Slater).
15. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 2:12 · NE 72 · Score 27-17
    (2:12) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 30-A.Ekeler to LAC 35 for 7 yards (53-K.Van Noy).
16. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · NE 65 · Score 27-17
    (2:00) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short left to 13-K.Allen to LAC 41 for 6 yards (41-M.Bryant) [92-D.Godchaux].
17. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 1:38 · NE 59 · Score 27-17
    (1:38) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass incomplete deep right to 15-J.Guyton.
18. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 1:28 · NE 67 · Score 27-17
    (1:28) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 15-J.Guyton pushed ob at NE 49 for 18 yards (2-J.Mills).
19. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 0:47 · NE 24 · Score 27-23
    (:47) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 5-J.Palmer for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 0:40 · NE 15 · Score 27-24
    6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.
21. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 0:39 · LAC 46 · Score 27-24
    (:39) 10-M.Jones kneels to LAC 47 for -1 yards.
22. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+7) — Q4 0:39 · LAC 46 · Score 27-24
    (:39) 10-M.Jones kneels to LAC 47 for -1 yards.
23. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 0:00 · Score 27-24
    END GAME
24. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+7) — Q4 0:00 · Score 27-24
    END GAME