Patriots HC Mike Vrabel Left Bloodied On The Sideline After Getting Headbutted By His Own Player [VIDEOS]

In terms of physical pain, we’re not sure if Mike Vrabel has ever paid such a price for a victory as an NFL head coach.

Mike Vrabel’s first playoff game as head coach of the New England Patriots couldn’t have gone much better. The Patriots made easy work of Justin Herbert, sacking him six times and forcing one turnover in a 16-3 win.

New England defensive tackle Milton Williams iced the game when he sacked Herbert on 4th-and-9 with less than two minutes remaining:

Milton Williams with the exclamation point!

LACvsNE on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/3AdWbXrtax

— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026

After the play, Milton Williams and Mike Vrabel shared a heartwarming exchange on the sideline. Williams got so fired up that he headbutted Vrabel in the commotion, leaving him with a bloody lip:

Mike Vrabel is bloody after eating Milton Williams' helmet when he went to embrace him to celebrate the sack. pic.twitter.com/WNoUhZeG22

— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) January 12, 2026

But don’t worry, folks. It was all smiles for Mike Vrabel.

Just a little blood for Vrabel 😅 pic.twitter.com/ZXp3OKKEZ7

— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2026

New England’s stingy defense did the bulk of the lifting. But the ground game was also imperative in the victory, racking up 146 rushing yards, per ESPN.

The Patriots will host the winner of the Houston Texans-Pittsburgh Steelers game in the Divisional Round on Sunday. The Denver Broncos will host the Buffalo Bills in the other AFC Divisional Round.