The Los Angeles Chargers secured a playoff spot under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh by defeating the New England Patriots 40-7. Thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs already winning the AFC West, the Chargers will enter the playoffs as a Wild Card team. The Chargers came out strong in the game, taking a 17-0 lead before the Patriots were able to respond. Quarterback Justin Herbert connected with wide receiver Derius Davis for a 23-yard touchdown, while kicker Cameron Dicker added a field goal to extend the lead to 10-0. The Chargers then recovered a fumble, leading to another touchdown pass from Herbert to Ladd McConkey, making it 17-0 in their favor.
During the first quarter of the game, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had to briefly leave the sidelines to be evaluated for a possible concussion. After a hit by Chargers defensive back Cam Hart, Maye fumbled the ball but was able to recover it. Despite this setback, Maye managed to make a successful throw to wide receiver Demario Douglas for a touchdown, reducing the Chargers’ lead to 17-7. However, that would be the only points the Patriots scored in the game. Herbert continued to lead the Chargers’ offense effectively, allowing Dicker to kick another field goal before halftime, giving the Chargers a 20-7 lead.
Coming out of halftime, the Chargers maintained their momentum. The Patriots failed to make any progress on their first possession, going three and out. Herbert then orchestrated a 94-yard scoring drive that ended with a touchdown catch by McConkey, extending the Chargers’ lead to 27-7 in the third quarter. Running back J.K. Dobbins also contributed a touchdown upon his return from injury in the fourth quarter. Herbert delivered an outstanding performance, completing 26 of 38 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns before being benched in the final quarter. McConkey set a rookie record for catches in a season in Chargers history with eight receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
This victory marked the first time the Chargers scored 40 points in a game since 2021. Maye struggled during the game, completing 12 of 22 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown, with 32 rushing yards. The Chargers’ previous playoff appearance was in the 2022-2023 season, where they suffered a devastating collapse in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars after leading 27-0. With their playoff berth secured, the Chargers will look to make a deep run in the postseason under the leadership of coach Harbaugh and the exceptional play of quarterback Herbert and the rest of the team. Fans can follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage for more updates on the Chargers’ journey in the playoffs.
