Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes as the Los Angeles Chargers dominated the New England Patriots with a score of 40-7 on Saturday, securing their second playoff appearance in three seasons. This victory also marked Jim Harbaugh’s fourth postseason appearance in five seasons as an NFL coach, following his successful stints with the San Francisco 49ers.
Herbert’s stellar performance included completing 26 of 38 passes for 281 yards. This achievement propelled him to become only the third player in NFL history to record at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons, joining the esteemed company of Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.
Ladd McConkey emerged as a standout player, making eight catches for 94 yards and scoring two touchdowns with receptions of 6 and 40 yards. His 10-yard reception in the second quarter pushed him over the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the season, making him the third Chargers rookie receiver to achieve this milestone. Meanwhile, JK Dobbins contributed 76 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
On the other side, the struggling Patriots suffered their sixth consecutive loss, with a record of 2-14 at home over the last two seasons. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye completed 12 of 22 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown, setting a franchise record as the first rookie quarterback with a touchdown pass in eight consecutive games. However, Maye faced challenges, getting sacked four times and turning the ball over in his eighth straight game.
The Chargers outgained the Patriots significantly, amassing 428 total yards compared to New England’s 181. The game also saw Maye briefly leave the field for a head injury evaluation after a hit in the first quarter but eventually returning to play.
Injuries marred both teams, with Chargers’ WR Joshua Palmer and DB Elijah Molden suffering injuries and Patriots’ CB Christian Gonzalez ruled out with a concussion. McConkey, a second-round draft selection, also broke a Chargers rookie record for catches, surpassing Keenan Allen’s previous record of 71 catches in 2013.
Looking ahead, the Chargers will face Las Vegas in their regular-season finale, while the Patriots will host Buffalo in their season finale next Sunday.
