Justin Herbert threw three landing passes and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched their second playoff look in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday.
The win additionally secured the fourth post-season look in Jim Harbaugh’s 5 seasons as an NFL coach, including to the three he made throughout his stint with the San Francisco 49ers.
Herbert completed 26 of 38 for 281 yards to change into the third participant in NFL historical past with not less than 3,000 passing yards and 20 landing passes in every of his first 5 seasons, becoming a member of Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.
Ladd McConkey had eight catches for 94 yards and pulled in landing throws of six and 40 yards. With a 10-yard reception within the second quarter, he handed 1,000 yards receiving for the season, making him the third Chargers rookie receiver to succeed in that milestone.
JK Dobbins rushed 19 occasions for 76 yards and a landing.
The Patriots have misplaced six straight video games, their second such dropping streak of the season and they’re now 2-14 during the last two seasons at residence.
New England quarterback Drake Maye completed 12 of twenty-two for 117 yards and a landing. He grew to become the primary rookie quarterback in franchise historical past with a landing cross in eight straight video games.
However he was sacked 4 occasions, and a second-quarter fumble marked his eighth straight sport with not less than one turnover. Los Angeles outgained New England 428-181 for the sport.
Maye briefly left the sport to be evaluated for a head harm following a blow to his helmet within the first quarter.
He was scrambling close to the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart, jarring the ball free as Maye spun out of bounds.
No flag was thrown on the play and Maye stayed down on the turf for a number of seconds earlier than ultimately getting up and jogging off the sphere. He initially sat on the bench earlier than going to the medical tent for analysis.
He was changed by backup Jacoby Brissett within the subsequent collection, which resulted in a punt. However after additional analysis within the locker room and a Cameron Dicker 27-yard subject purpose put the Chargers in entrance 10-0, Maye returned to the sport for the Patriots’ third collection, on the 10:15 mark of the second quarter.
Maye scrambled for 9 yards on his first play again, ending with him being hit by linebacker Junior Colson as he slid to the bottom. Colson was flagged for pointless roughness.
5 performs later, Maye mistimed a toss to Demario Douglas, inflicting a fumble that was recovered by Derwin James.
The Chargers took over on the New England 24 and 9 performs later, Herbert related with McConkey for a 6-yard landing cross to place Los Angeles in entrance 17-0.
Maye threw a 36-yard TD to DeMario Douglas to provide the Pats some residence, however the Chargers took full management, with Herbert’s 40-yarder to McConkey, a Dobbins two-yard run, and three extra Dicker subject targets rounding out the scoring.
What’s subsequent?
Chargers: Go to Las Vegas of their regular-season finale on Sunday, January 5, dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL.
Patriots: Host Buffalo subsequent Sunday of their season finale, additionally dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL.
