In a dominating 40-7 win over the New England Patriots, the Los Angeles Chargers secured a playoff spot under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with rookie Ladd McConkey who broke franchise rookie season records. The Chargers now hold the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff picture but could move up to No. 5 with a Week 18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Defensively, the Chargers smothered Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye, with Derwin James leading the charge with two sacks. The Patriots, now 3-13, are in contention for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, questions linger about Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo’s future after a string of losses.
The Patriots’ struggles on both sides of the ball were evident in the loss, with the defense allowing over 30 points for the sixth time and the offense failing to score over 25 points in 44 straight games. Additionally, the Patriots missed out on rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, who excelled for the Chargers in a reminder of New England’s questionable draft decisions.
Overall, the Chargers delivered their most complete performance of the season, showcasing a strong offense led by Herbert and a stifling defense led by James. As the playoffs loom, the Chargers have solidified their spot and are now looking to make a deep run in the postseason.
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