Justin Herbert ignites Chargers rout to reach playoffs in Jim Harbaugh’s first season
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Late in the fourth quarter, with almost all the Chargers’ starters standing on the sideline waiting out a 40-7 rout over the New England Patriots, Derwin James Jr. leaned in close to Justin Herbert. The safety had watched the way the Chargers’ star quarterback stayed late at the practice facility. How he watched film immediately after getting off the team plane after road games. How he gritted his teeth through injuries to hobble around on sprained ankles this season.
James wanted to make sure Herbert knew it was all appreciated.
“I wouldn’t rather have no other quarterback,” the two-time first-team All-Pro safety said.
Herbert played what coach Jim Harbaugh called a “near flawless” game to help the Chargers clinch their first playoff berth since 2022, blowing out the hapless Patriots (3-13) at Gillette Stadium on Saturday.
Jim Harbaugh’s playoff-bound Chargers continue evolution by routing nemesis Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Jim Harbaugh loves a high-five, calls it one of mankind’s great inventions. But sometimes, even that hearty gesture is insufficient.
So when the Chargers coach spotted the team’s general manager slipping out of the visitors’ locker room Saturday — in the wake of the club’s most lopsided win in five years — he summoned him for a bear hug.
The Chargers clinched a playoff berth with their 40-7 drubbing of the New England Patriots, and Harbaugh felt the urge to wrap his arms around first-year general manager Joe Hortiz. Such is the delirium of an NFL team starting to hit its stride at the right time.
“I needed a hug from Joe,” said the coach, who lured Hortiz from the Baltimore Ravens. “He’s the same brilliant guy every single day. He takes no deep, long bows. But he should.”
Chargers defeat Patriots 40-7 and clinch AFC playoff berth
🏈 Chargers 40, Patriots 7 — FINAL
Behind a stellar defensive effort and standout performances from Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey, the Chargers defeated the Patriots in dominant fashion Saturday to clinch an AFC playoff berth.
Herbert completed 26 of 38 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns and McConkey had eight catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns to spearhead the Chargers’ offensive attack. The Chargers had 428 total yards to the Patriots’ 181.
Derwin James Jr. was a force on defense, sacking Patriots quarterback Drake Maye twice on fourth down.
J.K. Dobbins, in his first game back from injury, rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown in 19 carries.
Maye completed 12 of 22 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.
The Chargers (10-6) wrap up the regular season against the Las Vegas Raiders next week. The Patriots (3-13) wrap up their season next week against the Buffalo Bills.
Check out the game summary from the Chargers’ win Saturday.
Cameron Dicker kicks another field goal to give Chargers 40-7 lead
🏈 Chargers 40, Patriots 7 — 3:47 left in the fourth quarter
Cameron Dicker kicked a 35-yard field goal to extend the Chargers lead with the team on the verge of clinching an AFC playoff berth.
Dicker has four field goals today, his latest coming after the Patriots failed to convert on fourth down for the third time today.
Taylor Heinicke in at quarterback for Chargers
🏈 Chargers 37, Patriots 7 — 10:54 left in the fourth quarter
With the Chargers up 30 points, backup Taylor Heinicke is in at quarterback for Justin Herbert.
Herbert has completed 26 of 38 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns. The Chargers have 410 total yards compared to New England’s 121.
The Patriots went three and out on its first possession of the fourth quarter, opting to punt rather than go for it on fourth down deep in their own territory (New England is 0-2 on fourth down today).
J.K. Dobbins TD run gives Chargers 37-7 lead in fourth quarter
🏈 Chargers 37, Patriots 7 — 11:58 left in the fourth quarter
J.K. Dobbins scored on a two-yard run for his ninth touchdown of the season, giving the Chargers a commanding lead in the fourth quarter.
The short run came at the end of a 10-play, 63-yard drive that included Justin Herbert scrambling four yards for a first down to set up the Dobbins touchdown.
The successful drive came after another dominant showing by the Chargers defense, which included Derwin James Jr.’s second fourth-down sack of Drake Maye today.
Chargers tack on another field goal to take 30-7 lead
🏈 Chargers 30, Patriots 7 — 5:43 left in the third quarter
Cameron Dicker kicked a 41-yard field goal to give the Chargers a commanding lead after a Patriots gamble on fourth down failed spectacularly.
Derwin James Jr. sacked Drake Maye for a 15-yard loss on fourth down to give the Chargers the ball at the New England 23.
From there, the Chargers failed to find the end zone, with Justin Herbert overthrowing a wide-open Ladd McConkey on first down. Another incomplete pass to Quentin Johnston in the end zone compelled the Chargers to settle for a field goal.
It wasn’t all good news for the Chargers — on the ensuing Patriots possession, Chargers cornerback Elijah Molden was carted off the field with a left knee injury. In addition, Joshua Palmer sustained a heel injury and is questionable to return, per the team.
Ladd McConkey catches another TD pass and breaks Chargers’ rookie record
🏈 Chargers 27, Patriots 7 — 7:37 left in the third quarter
Justin Herbert threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Ladd McConkey — his second TD catch of the game — to extend the Chargers’ lead.
With the catch, McConkey broke the Chargers’ rookie record for receiving yards. He has 1,054 yards.
The 10-play, 94-yard drive included a 14-yard reception by Will Dissly and a 19-yard reception by Joshua Palmer.
After his catch McConkey gave the ball to his aunt in the Gillette Stadium stands.
Herbert has completed 25 of 33 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. McConkey has eight catches for 94 yards.
Chargers tack on another field goal to take 20-7 halftime lead
🏈 Chargers 20, Patriots 7 — HALFTIME
Cameron Dicker kicked a 38-yard field goal just before time expired in the first half to extend the Chargers’ lead.
The kick barely cleared the right upright and came one play after Justin Herbert overthrew Quentin Johnston in the end zone.
The eight-play, 50-yard drive was aided by a roughing the passer penalty on Yannick Ngakoue that moved the Chargers into more comfortable field-goal range.
Herbert completed 20 of 27 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. Ladd McConkey had six catches for 50 yards and J.K. Dobbins had 29 yards on nine carries. The Chargers converted on two fourth downs and were five for nine on third down.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed five of five passes for 66 yards.
The Chargers had 249 total yards in contrast to the Patriots’ 91.
Patriots show some life, score quick TD before halftime
🏈 Chargers 17, Patriots 7 — 1:24 left in the second quarter
Drake Maye connected on a 36-yard touchdown pass to DeMario Douglas to help give the Patriots an important seven points before halftime.
Maye managed to get the throw off just before he was hit by Joey Bosa, and Douglas caught the pass just outside the end zone inside double cover, rolling over on the turf to score. It came off a free play for the Patriots after Bud Dupree was drawn offside before the snap.
The touchdown came at the end of a five-play, 73-yard drive that included a 12-yard scramble by Maye and an 18-yard reception by Kendrick Bourne.
Chargers extend their lead on Ladd McConkey TD catch
🏈 Chargers 17, Patriots 0 — 2:55 left in the second quarter
Ladd McConkey caught at six-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert as the Chargers capitalized on a Patriots turnover to extend their lead.
The touchdown capped a nine-play, 44-yard drive that started when Derwin James Jr. recovered a fumble off a botched toss by Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
Herbert has completed 17 of 21 passes for 162 yards. McConkey has five catches for 46 yards.
Derwin James Jr. recovers fumble off botched Patriots toss
🏈 Chargers 10, Patriots 0 — 8:29 left in the second quarter
Derwin James Jr. recovered a fumble off a botched toss by Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to give the Chargers the ball at the New England 44.
On first down, Maye tried to pitch the ball back to DeMario Douglas, but the toss was well in front of the wide receiver, allowing the Chargers safety to pounce on it.
Chargers extend their lead on Cameron Dicker field goal
🏈 Chargers 10, Patriots 0 — 10:15 left in the second quarter
Cameron Dicker kicked a 27-yard field goal to extend the Chargers’ lead after a 12-play, 67-yard drive fizzled in the New England red zone.
Justin Herbert has had a solid game so far, completing 13 of 17 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. Quentin Johnston has made three catches for 34 yards and J.K. Dobbins, playing in his first game back from injury, has 26 yards in eight carries.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is back under center after returning from the locker room to be evaluated for a head injury.
Chargers take early lead on spectacular Derius Davis TD catch
🏈 Chargers 7, Patriots 0 — 3:21 left in the first quarter
Derius Davis made a spectacular 23-yard touchdown catch, fully extending himself to haul in a rocket thrown by Justin Herbert to give the Chargers an early lead.
The touchdown capped an 11-play, 91-yard drive that included a 19-yard reception by Quentin Johnston.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye sustained a head injury on New England’s first possession. After visiting the sideline medical tent, he walked to the locker room under his own power. He is questionable to return, per the team.
After the Chargers’ touchdown Jacoby Brissett took over at quarterback, and the Patriots went three and out for the second time today.
Hernández: Comeback win over Broncos is proof Jim Harbaugh has changed Chargers’ culture
How was Justin Herbert able to make the cross-body throw on the run that resulted in Derius Davis’ go-ahead touchdown?
How was Joshua Palmer able to get his right hand on a deflected pass, turn around and corral the tipped ball along the back edge of the end zone for a crucial two-point conversion?
How were the Chargers able to recover from an atrocious opening half to secure a season-defining 34-27 victory over the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night?
“Our guys,” coach Jim Harbaugh said, “really just stayed the course.”
The Chargers are 9-6, and short of a one-in-a-billion disaster, they will reach the playoffs.
Chargers takeaways: Comeback victory against Broncos puts a playoff berth in sight
The Chargers fully acknowledged the importance of Thursday’s game. They knew they couldn’t afford to lose a third straight game in such a tight AFC playoff race. The AFC West rematch against the Denver Broncos was moved into a prime-time TV slot because of the playoff ramifications for both teams.
With the lights dark in SoFi Stadium, Jim Harbaugh stood on the sideline between Justin Herbert and Derwin James Jr. and recognized how big the moment felt. The Chargers coach then told his team’s two most trusted leaders to simply enjoy it.
“Like pickup basketball, coach,” Herbert responded.
J.K. Dobbins, Elijah Molden and Will Dissly active for Chargers
Running back J.K. Dobbins, defensive back Elijah Molden and tight end Will Dissly are active for the Chargers as they try to clinch a playoff spot with a win over the New England Patriots.
Dobbins’ return from a knee injury that put him on injured reserve for four games is especially critical as the Chargers (9-6) will be without running back Gus Edwards (ankle). Edwards is inactive after suffering the injury during last week’s game and re-aggravating it in practice, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Friday.
Molden (knee) missed last week’s game, forcing the Chargers to dig into their safety depth and call upon practice squad elevation Kendall Williamson. Williamson, who was playing in his first NFL regular-season game, had one tackle after Marcus Maye suffered an ankle injury on the first drive. Maye was put on injured reserve this week.
Dissly has missed two games with a shoulder injury. The tight end ranks second on the team with 43 receptions for 418 yards and one touchdown.
Starting right guard Trey Pipkins III (hip) is inactive, making way for Jamaree Salyer to step into the starting lineup. Salyer has been a regular rotation piece in the offensive line, especially in goal line situations.
Here are all the players inactive Saturday for Chargers vs. Patriots:
Chargers inactives: RB Gus Edwards, LB Denzel Perryman, OL Jordan McFadden, OG Trey Pipkins III, TE Hayden Hurst, DL Justin Eboigbe, QB Easton Stick
Patriots inactives: S Jabrill Peppers, QB Joe Milton III, RB Terrell Jennings, OG Sidy Sow, OG Tyrese Robinson, C Ben Brown
After Cameron Dicker’s historic boot, Chargers get to meet ‘Quad Father’ of free kick
Cameron Dicker pointed to a picture of a football card to the camera. The color drawing showed a man in a royal blue San Diego Chargers jersey with thick brown hair and a thick mustache.
“From me to Ray,” the Chargers kicker said while tapping his chest, “let’s go.”
Ray Wersching’s mustache has gone gray, as has the hair on his head, but 48 years after he made a 45-yard fair-catch free kick, the former Charger and San Francisco 49ers kicker is happy to pass the torch to Dicker.
After Dicker made the first successful fair-catch kick in the NFL since 1976 last Thursday, Wersching was a surprise guest in the Chargers practice facility Monday, invited by the Spanos family to fly from his home in the Bay Area to meet with the team. Before practice, he chatted with reporters and special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken and addressed the players.
Chargers hope to ride stingy defensive momentum past Patriots and into playoffs
Jesse Minter quickly impressed Chargers players with his calm demeanor during his first season as an NFL defensive coordinator, but as the Denver Broncos rolled up three consecutive touchdown drives last Thursday, even the unflappable Minter started to panic.
He had just spent four days speaking to his players about the proper response to ensure the prior week’s blowout loss to Tampa Bay would be a one-off. They couldn’t afford to make it a trend.
“I was afraid that at one point, I might have spoken that into existence,” Minter said with a slight smile.
Chargers’ Gus Edwards is out for Patriots game, but someone else is back
The Chargers could get their leading rusher back Saturday against New England as running back J.K. Dobbins was a full participant in practice Thursday.
The running back missed four games while on injured reserve because of a knee injury and is listed as questionable. He would give the Chargers a much-needed boost just as fellow running back Gus Edwards (ankle) was ruled out for the game.
Edwards suffered the injury during last Thursday’s win over the Denver Broncos, Jim Harbaugh said, and reaggravated it during practice. The Chargers coach did not clarify whether the injury was related to the high-ankle sprain that put Edwards on IR earlier this season.
Chargers vs. New England Patriots: How to watch, predictions and betting odds
Even with the Chargers’ playoff hopes in the air last week, Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley didn’t pay much attention to NFL games on TV during a rare off weekend after a Thursday game against the Denver Broncos.
“It didn’t really matter,” Henley said, “because I’m like, we can’t lose anymore anyway.”
Buoyed by a key win over the Broncos, the Chargers (9-6) need a victory Saturday against the New England Patriots to officially clinch their first postseason berth since 2022. They’re already in the playoff mindset, however, while chasing their third 10-win season in the last 15 years.