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NFL scores and highlights: Los Angeles Chargers clinch playoff berth with 40-7 rout of New England Patriots | NFL news


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 Jim Harbaugh’s fourth postseason appearance in five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his time with the San Francisco 49ers.

Herbert completed 26 of 38 for 281 yards and became 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 Famers Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.

Ladd McConkey had eight catches for 94 yards and had touchdown throws of six and 40 yards. With a 10-yard reception in the second quarter, he passed 1,000 yards on the season, making him the third Chargers rookie receiver to reach the 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 are now 2-14 over the past 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 to throw a touchdown pass in eight consecutive games.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs down the field during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers
Picture:
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs down the field during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers

But he was sacked four times, and a fumble in the second quarter marked his eighth straight game with at least one turnover. Los Angeles outgained New England 428-181 for the game.

Maye left the game briefly to be evaluated for a head injury after a hit to the helmet in the first quarter.

He was making his way down the sideline on third down on the Patriots’ first possession when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart, knocking the ball away as Maye went off the field.

No flag was thrown on the play and Maye remained on the turf for several seconds before finally getting up and running off the field. He first sat on the bench before going to the medical tent for evaluation.

On the next series, which ended in a shootout, he was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett. But after further evaluation in the locker room and Cameron Dicker’s 27-yard field goal that put the Chargers up 10-0, Maye returned to the game for the Patriots’ third drive at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter.

Maye fumbled for nine yards on his first play back and ended up being hit by linebacker Junior Colson as he slid to the ground. Colson was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

Five plays later, Maye mishandled Demario Douglas, causing a fumble that was recovered by Derwin James.

The Chargers took over at the New England 24 and nine plays later, Herbert connected with McConkey for a 6-yard touchdown pass to give Los Angeles a 17-0 lead.

Maye threw a 36-yard TD to DeMario Douglas to give the Pats some range, but the Chargers took complete control, with Herbert’s 40-yarder to McConkey, Dobbins’ two-yard run and three more Dicker field goals rounding out the scoring.

What’s next?

Chargers: Visit Las Vegas in the regular season finale Sunday, January 5live on Sky Sports NFL.
Patriots: Host Buffalo next Sunday in the season finale, also live Sky Sports NFL.



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