Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Chargers advanced to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday.
The win also secured Jim Harbaugh’s fourth postseason appearance in five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers.
Herbert completed 26 of 38 for 281 yards, becoming the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in each of his first five seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.
Ladd McConkey had eight catches for 94 yards and throws of six and 40. He passed 1,000 yards for the season with 10 receptions in the second quarter, making him the third Chargers rookie receiver to reach the mark.
JK Dobbins rushed 19 times for 76 yards and a touchdown.
The Patriots have lost six straight games, their second such losing streak this season, and they are now 2-14 at home over the past two seasons.
New England quarterback Drake Maye finished 12 of 22 for 117 yards and a touchdown, becoming the first rookie in franchise history to catch a touchdown in eight straight games.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs down the field during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers.
But he was sacked four times and the fumble in the second quarter marked his eighth straight game with at least one turnover in a 428-181 loss to New England.
May left the game briefly to be evaluated for a head injury after being hit by a helmet in the first quarter.
He was scrambling near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart, who fumbled the ball as May spun out of bounds.
No flag was thrown on the play and May remained on the turf for a few seconds before eventually getting up and running off the field, initially sitting on the bench before heading to the medical tent for evaluation.
In the next series, he was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett, who ended up with a punt. But after further evaluation in the locker room and after Cameron Dicker’s 27-yard field goal gave the Chargers a 10-0 lead, May returned to the game for the Patriots’ third drive at 10:15 of the second quarter.
May scrambled nine yards on his first play, ending up hitting quarterback Junior Colson as he slid to the ground.Colson was flagged for roughing.
Five plays later, Maye threw to Demario Douglas on an error, resulting in a fumble that was recovered by Derwin James.
The Chargers took over at the New England 24 and nine plays later, Herbert connected with McConkie for a 6-yard touchdown pass to put Los Angeles up 17-0.
May threw a 36-yard TD to DeMario Douglas to give the Pats some lead, but the Chargers took full control as Herbert’s 40-yarder to McConkie, Dobbins’ two-yard run and three more Dicker field goals finished the scoring.
What’s next?
Chargers. Visit Las Vegas for their regular season finale Sunday, January 5live Sky Sports NFL.
Patriots. Host Buffalo next Sunday in their season finale, also live Sky Sports NFL.
