Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes as the Los Angeles Chargers made their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday.
The win also secured a fourth postseason appearance in Jim Harbaugh's five seasons as an NFL coach, in addition to the three he made during his time with the San Francisco 49ers.
Herbert finished 26 of 38 for 281 yards to become the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 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 hauled in touchdown throws of six and 40 yards. With a 10-yard reception in the second quarter, he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for 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 losing streak of the season, and are now 2-14 over the last two seasons at home.
New England quarterback Drake May finished 12 of 22 for 117 yards and a touchdown. He became the first rookie quarterback in franchise history with a touchdown pass in eight straight games.
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 his second-quarter fumble marked his eighth straight game with at least one turnover. Los Angeles beat New England 428-181 in the game.
Maye briefly left the game to be evaluated for a head injury after taking a hit to his helmet in the first quarter.
He was scrambling near the sideline on third down of the Patriots' first possession when Chargers cornerback Cam Hart collided with him, losing the ball as Maye went out of bounds.
No flag was thrown on the play and May remained on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and running off the field. He initially sat on the bench before going to the medical tent for evaluation.
He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett on the following series, which ended in a punt. But after further evaluation in the locker room and a 27-yard Cameron Decker field goal put the Chargers up 10-0, Maye returned to the game for the Patriots' third series, at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter.
Maye rushed for nine yards on his first play, and ended up getting hit by linebacker Junior Colson as he slid to the ground. Coulson was flagged for unnecessary roughness.
Five plays later, Maye mistimed a Demario Douglas throw, 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 up 17-0.
Maye threw a 36-yard TD run to DeMario Douglas to give the Pats some home, but the Chargers took full control, with a 40-yard run from Herbert to McConkey, a two-yard Dobbins run, and three more Decker field goals rounding out the scoring.
What's next?
Chargers: Visit Las Vegas in the regular season finale Sunday 5 Januarylive on Sky Sports NFL.
Patriots: Host Buffalo next Sunday in the season finale, also shown live Sky Sports NFL.
