New England Patriots fans lived every snap of the Wild Card round like it was a tightrope walk, and the tension spilled straight into pop culture. On Sunday, January 11, the Patriots shut down the Los Angeles Chargers with a 16 to 3 win, and one of the most entertaining reactions came from Cardi B. The Grammy-winning rapper and partner of NFL wide receiver Stefon Diggs watched the game from home and turned her excitement into a viral moment that mixed football, reality TV, and her unmistakable humor.
This crossover of sports and celebrity gave Patriots fandom an extra spark. Social media did what it does best when stars collide with playoff drama, and Cardi B’s posts quickly became part of the story of the night.
A Wild Card Game That Had Patriots Fans Holding Their Breath
The Patriots entered the Wild Card round knowing that one slip could end their season. The Chargers came in ready to challenge every yard, turning the matchup into a defensive grind that tested nerves in New England living rooms everywhere. By the final whistle, the Patriots had built a convincing 16 to 3 win, but it never felt easy until it was over.
This kind of playoff game is what makes NFL postseason football so addictive. Fans across New England and far beyond stayed glued to their screens, including Cardi B, who made it clear she was riding every emotional wave of the game.
Cardi B Uses America’s Next Top Model to Capture the Mood
Moments after the Patriots secured their win, Cardi B took to Instagram with a clever nod to America’s Next Top Model. She shared a clip of Tyra Banks approaching contestants and asking, “How many people were scared?” In the video, everyone, including Banks herself, raises a hand. Cardi layered the clip with the text “thank you lord” and added a playful Go Pats sticker beneath it.
The choice of clip was spot on. It captured exactly how Patriots fans felt as the Chargers tried to claw their way back into the game. It was tense, dramatic, and full of relief when it finally ended. By using a familiar pop culture moment, Cardi turned a football reaction into something instantly shareable, blending NFL playoff energy with reality TV nostalgia.
Her Own Reaction Adds to the Patriots' Playoff Story
Cardi did not stop with the Tyra Banks clip. She also shared a video of herself reacting live as she watched the game. In her usual bold and hilarious style, she encouraged the Chargers to move on and start their offseason vacation.
She joked about sending them to Tulum and even named an airline, saying they wanted to go to Tulum that night on Delta. The moment was classic Cardi B, mixing sports rivalry with comedic exaggeration. For fans, it felt like a victory lap that turned a defensive battle into a celebration.
The Relationship That Adds a New Layer to Patriots Coverage
Cardi B and Stefon Diggs were first linked in 2024 and made their relationship public the following May. In November, they welcomed their first child together, a baby boy. Their high-profile romance has added a celebrity spotlight to Diggs’ football career and to any game he is connected to.
When Cardi reacts to a Patriots win, it feels personal. Cardi is someone invested in the outcome because of her connection to a player and to the team’s success. That emotional tie is what makes her reactions resonate with both sports fans and pop culture followers.
The NFL playoffs are already one of the biggest events in American sports. When a star like Cardi B jumps into the conversation, it expands the audience even more. People who might not normally follow the Patriots or the Chargers suddenly have a reason to watch highlights, check scores, and follow the story.