Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday.
The win also secured the fourth post-season appearance in Jim Harbaugh’s five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his stint with the San Francisco 49ers.
Herbert finished 26 of 38 for 281 yards to become the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes 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 pulled in touchdown throws of six and 40 yards. With a 10-yard reception in the second quarter, he passed 1,000 yards receiving for the season, making him the third Chargers rookie receiver to reach that milestone.
JK Dobbins rushed 19 times for 76 yards and a touchdown.
The Patriots have lost six straight games, their second such losing streak of the season and they are now 2-14 over the last two seasons at home.
New England quarterback Drake Maye finished 12 of 22 for 117 yards and a touchdown. He became the first rookie quarterback in franchise history with a touchdown pass in eight straight games.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs onto the field during the first half against Los Angeles Chargers
But he was sacked four times, and a second-quarter fumble marked his eighth straight game with at least one turnover. Los Angeles outgained New England 428-181 for the game.
Maye briefly left the game to be evaluated for a head injury following a blow to his 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, jarring the ball loose as Maye spun out of bounds.
No flag was thrown on the play and Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and jogging off the field. He initially sat on the bench before going to the medical tent for evaluation.
He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett in the next series, which ended in a punt. But after further evaluation in the locker room and a Cameron Dicker 27-yard field goal put the Chargers in front 10-0, Maye returned to the game for the Patriots’ third series, at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter.
Maye scrambled for nine yards on his first play back, ending with him being hit by linebacker Junior Colson as he slid to the ground. Colson was flagged for unnecessary roughness.
Five plays later, Maye mistimed a toss to Demario Douglas, causing a fumble that was recovered by Derwin James.
The Chargers took over on the New England 24 and nine plays later, Herbert connected with McConkey for a 6-yard touchdown pass to put Los Angeles in front 17-0.
Maye threw a 36-yard TD to DeMario Douglas to give the Pats some home, but the Chargers took full control, with Herbert’s 40-yarder to McConkey, a Dobbins two-yard run, and three more Dicker field goals rounding out the scoring.
What’s next?
Chargers: Visit Las Vegas in their regular-season finale on Sunday, January 5, live on Sky Sports NFL.
Patriots: Host Buffalo next Sunday in their season finale, also live on Sky Sports NFL.