Chargers’ big plays, not altered routine, stung Pats

BOSTON (AP) — Spending a week practicing in California wasn’t the Patriots’ problem.

Playing there was.

New England absorbed one of its worst poundings Sunday since its first Super Bowl-winning season in 2001, a 30-10 rout by the San Diego Chargers. Perhaps the change in its normal routine took a toll?

Not according to coach Bill Belichick.

“I think it was the best thing we could have done for our team and I think that we had a good week of preparation,” he said in a conference call Monday. “I think it worked out well. I don’t think that was a problem.”

The alternative would have been two coast-to-coast trips in 10 days — first for its 30-21 win at San Francisco, then back to Foxborough, then to San Diego, then another return flight to Foxborough.

The Patriots may have been fresh Sunday but seemed several steps behind most of the game.

They couldn’t stop the big play, allowing three receptions of at least 48 yards. They were sluggish on offense, averaging just 4.4 yards with Tom Brady out for the season with a knee injury.

“I think that on the big plays, those handful of plays, they gained a lot more yards than they gained on the other 50,” Belichick said. “I don’t think the competitiveness of the game was reflected in the score. We did a lot of good things but we offset it with missing some opportunities and not being able to make a few plays at the right time.”