Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Chargers earned their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday.
The win also clinched the fourth postseason appearance in Jim Harbaugh's 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 to become the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his five seasons, joining the Pro Football Hall of Fame of Famer Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.
Ladd McConkey had eight catches for 94 yards and hauled in six touchdowns and 40 yards. With a 10-yard reception in the second quarter, he passed 1,000 yards receiving for the season, making him the third Chargers rookie receiver to reach that milestone.
JK Dobbins rushed 19 times for 76 yards and a touchdown.
The Patriots have lost six straight games, their second losing streak of the season and are now 2-14 over the last two seasons at home.
New England quarterback Drake Maye finished 12 of 22 for 117 yards and a touchdown. He was the first rookie quarterback in franchise history to throw a touchdown pass in eight straight games.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs on the field in 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 to be evaluated for a head injury after a hit to his helmet in the first quarter.
He was scrambling near the sideline on the third down of the Patriots' first possession when he hit Chargers running back Cam Hart, the ball bouncing as Maye spun out of bounds.
No flag was thrown on the play and Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before getting up and walking off the field. He sat on the bench first before going to the medical tent for assessment.
He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett on the next series, which ended in a punt. But after further evaluation in the locker room and Cameron Dicker's 27-yard field goal put the Chargers ahead 10-0, Maye returned to the game for the Patriots' third drive at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter. .
Maye scrambled for nine yards on his first play back, ending when he was hit by linebacker Junior Colson as he slid to the ground. Colson was flagged for unnecessary roughness.
Five plays later, Maye fumbled 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 put Los Angeles ahead 17-0.
Maye threw a 36-yard TD to DeMario Douglas to give the Pats a bit of a home run, but the Chargers took full control, with Herbert's 40-yarder to McConkey, a two-yard run to Dobbins, and three more Dicker field goals rounding out the scoring.
What next?
Chargers: Visit Las Vegas in their regular season finale Sunday, January 5wait Sky Sports NFL.
Patriots: Host Buffalo next Sunday in their season finale, also live Sky Sports NFL.
