Anfernee Jennings made the most of his biggest opportunity of the season against the Chargers

New England Patriots

Jennings tied his season-high for snaps with 39 and delivered a sack on third down late in the fourth quarter.

Shortly before this season began, Anfernee Jennings found himself in a peculiar spot playing deep into preseason games and answering questions about trade rumors.

The veteran linebacker hoped to remain in New England, which had become a second home to him over the past five years after the Patriots drafted him in 2020. He kept working hard and showed enough to earn a spot on the team.

So, when the Patriots were trying to put the Chargers away in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s divisional win and Jennings flew down the middle of the pocket and slammed into Justin Herbert for a third down sack, the moment had meaning.

It was the Patriots’ first playoff win since Super Bowl LII. Playoff football had returned to Foxborough for the first time since Tom Brady‘s last game as a Patriot in 2019. The moment Jennings wanted to be a part of had finally arrived.

“Since I’ve been here, all I’ve wanted to do was play meaningful football,” Jennings said. “Just being here, being able to get an opportunity means a lot. Just trying to do my job and help my team win.”

Jennings went from playing 74 percent of the Patriots’ defensive snaps last season to 37 percent of their defensive snaps this season. He said he continued to prepare as if he were a starter anyway so that he would be ready for opportunities like Sunday night.

Adjusting to a new role under a new coaching staff has made this season different for the veteran linebacker.

He remained focused on the opportunities in front of him. Jennings played 39 snaps against the Chargers, trying his season-high. The coaching staff trusted him enough to play him in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s playoff game.

“I just knew if I got an opportunity to show what I could do, one [Vrabel] was going to love me and two I just get in where I fit in,” Jennings said. “It’s a blessing to be here. I’m glad I’m here.”

Jennings described the atmosphere during the Sunday’s win as “electric.” Playing with unselfish teammates made it even better, he said.

“Nobody cares about who gets the stat. Everybody’s genuinely happy for one another,” Jennings said. “I think that means the most playing defense. When you’re playing with a group of guys who don’t care about who gets the stat and just happy for one another it’s easy to go out there and play for them.”

Jennings has played at a couple of different spots on the edge during his time with the Patriots, and he’s mainly known as a run-stuffer. But, when the moment called for a pass-rush on Monday, Jennings notched his first career playoff sack.

“Honestly, man I think I’m a football player. I think I can get in and fit in wherever,” Jennings said. “I’m going to play fast, going to play tough, and I’m going to play with good fundamentals. I’m going to just do my job at the end of the day. It’s a blessing to be able to be here and go through everything I’ve been through here and now being in this position, I don’t take it for granted.”

Khari A. Thompson

Sports Reporter

Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.