The Los Angeles Chargers secured the franchise’s first playoff appearance since the 2022-23 season with a 40-7 win over the New England Patriots. This victory was the Chargers’ first 40-point game since 2021.
The offensive disparity between these two teams was tremendous. The Chargers outgained the Pats 428 yards to 181 yards. The biggest discrepancy was in the passing game, which favored LA 281-85.
The Chargers also did an excellent job controlling the clock, holding onto the ball for 40:34. For reference, the Philadelphia Eagles are the league’s best team when it comes to the average time of possession per game (32:31).
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was unbothered by the rainy conditions, throwing for 281 yards and three touchdowns while going 26 for 38 passing. With his 281-yard performance, Herbert surpassed Peyton Manning for the most passing yards in NFL history by a quarterback in his first five seasons. On LA’s first two possessions, Herbert completed eight of 11 passes for 82 yards, including a 23-yard TD to wideout Derius Davis for a 7-0 lead.
you love to see it
📺 | @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/L7e9GuNjzp
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 28, 2024
Meanwhile, it was a tough start for New England rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who missed a series after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit on the Patriots’ opening drive. Maye was thankfully able to return to the game after being replaced by Jacoby Brissett for one possession. Even with two QBs taking snaps, New England was held to just six offensive yards in the first quarter.
The Pats’ offensive struggles continued into the second when New England recorded its league-leading 29th fumble of the season. Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. scooped up that live ball for his first fumble recovery since November 6th, 2023. He also had two sacks in the game, giving him 5.5 on the campaign.
LA rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey had a record-setting day, catching eight passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. McConkey’s eight receptions bring his total on the year to 77, surpassing wideout Keenan Allen for the franchise’s single-season rookie record. McConkey also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in the game, joining the Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr. and the Raiders’ Brock Bowers as the only rookies to go over 1,000 receiving yards so far this season. His fifth catch of the contest, a six-yard touchdown, gave the Chargers a 17-0 lead with 2:55 remaining in the second quarter.
Ladd McConkey gives the TD ball to his aunt in the stands 🩵
📺: #LACvsNE on NFL Network
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Drake Maye turned things on before the end of the second by connecting with wide receiver Demario Douglas on a free play for a 36-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 17-7. This was Maye’s eighth-straight game with a touchdown pass, a new rookie franchise record for New England. He wouldn’t do much else, being held to just 149 total yards.
The Chargers took a 27-7 lead on Ladd McConkey’s second touchdown of the game. He had an opportunity to catch another touchdown late in the third quarter, but Justin Herbert overthrew him, leading to another field goal to make it 30-7.
Los Angeles running back J.K. Dobbins made his first start since returning from an injury he suffered against the Baltimore Ravens on November 25th. He carried the ball 19 times for 76 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter to go up 37-7.
One more field goal from the Chargers closed things out.
Now that the Chargers have clinched a berth, there is only one open playoff spot left in the AFC. However, that opening might be spoken for following the conclusion of the Broncos-Bengals game. If Denver wins, they will secure the AFC’s final playoff spot.
Though it has been a dreadful 3-13 season, New England Patriots fans shouldn’t be too disappointed with this loss because they are still slated to have the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Had the Pats won, they would have fallen out of the top five in terms of draft order.
