Chargers roll over Patriots to secure a spot in the AFC playoffs

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Late in the fourth quarter, with almost all of the Chargers’ starters on the sidelines awaiting a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots, Derwin James Jr. leaned in close to Justin Herbert. The security guard had observed the Chargers’ star quarterback staying on the practice field late into the night. How he watched the film immediately after getting off the team plane after away games. How he gritted his teeth despite injuries and hobbled around with sprained ankles this season.

James wanted to make sure Herbert knew everything was appreciated.

“I’d rather not have another quarterback,” the two-time first-team All-Pro safety said.

Herbert played what coach Jim Harbaugh called a “nearly flawless” game to help the Chargers to their first playoff berth since 2022 by beating the hapless Patriots (3-13) at Gillette Stadium on Saturday.

Herbert completed 26 of 38 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Chargers (10-6) set a season-high in points. Even as he watched the end of the game from the sidelines, having left the game with a 30-point lead with 10:54 left, Herbert was still among the first players on the field to high-five after every drive gave and cheered on their teammates.

“I can’t think of a play, a throw, a check or a ball that was placed where it shouldn’t have been,” Harbaugh said. “Just an incredible performance from an incredible player.”

For Herbert, it felt like normal.

A highlight-reel catch in the first quarter by receiver Derius Davis — who went into full Superman position to score his second touchdown in as many games — elicited quiet high-fives from Herbert.

As he fired a ball through four defenders to Ladd McConkey for a six-yard touchdown in the second quarter, Herbert gave the rookie receiver a formal handshake. The Chargers had taken a 17-0 lead, a lead that seemed insurmountable for a Patriots team vying for draft position rather than playoff hopes.

“It’s a testament to the hard work we’ve put in this offseason,” Herbert said of returning to the playoffs. “The way things went, it was an honor to play with this team. We had a huge chance tonight and we took advantage of it.”

McConkey, who finished the game with eight catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns, tied the Chargers’ rookie record this season with 77 catches and 1,054 yards.

Herbert became the third quarterback in NFL history, joining Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson, to rush for 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in each of his first five professional seasons. He also surpassed Manning for the most passing yards in his first five NFL seasons, but is now focused on a more important accomplishment.

The Chargers haven’t won a playoff game since 2018.

Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. gets one of his two sacks from Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10).

(Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press)

“We know a new season is just beginning,” said James, who had two sacks, both on fourth down, in the first multi-sack game of his career. “We’re not satisfied with just getting into the playoffs. We know where we want to be, we know what kind of team we want to be, so we just want to keep going.

The Chargers, who have spent much of the season balancing between the sixth and seventh seeds, could move up to the fifth seed next week. To position themselves for a favorable postseason matchup against No. 4 seed Houston (9-7), the Chargers would need to win in Las Vegas (3-12) and suffer a Steelers loss to the Bengals in Week 18.

Pittsburgh (10-6) is in the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Chargers with a win in Week 3, but has lost three straight games to fall out of the top spot in the AFC North.

Herbert left the game against the Steelers in the third quarter with a sprained ankle. The Chargers struggled to find rhythm on offense all season long, with their quarterback sometimes playing at 20% health in a new system with unfamiliar receivers.

However, with back-to-back high-scoring games of the season, Herbert gets the Chargers into the postseason. His teammates are ready to follow him there.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert wears a cap with a crossed-out image of an elevator after a win over the Patriots.

(Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press)

“The guy fought hard all year,” center Bradley Bozeman said. “Just really, the definition of courage.”

Herbert praised the organization’s unity during his postgame press conference, where he wore a hat with an image of a crossed-out elevator on the front. It was a tribute from receiver Simi Fehoko to the team’s preseason incident in a broken elevator.

“Everyone plays for everyone,” Herbert said. “They play for the coaches and of course for the Chargers fan base.”

Before escaping the cold and wet afternoon and taking refuge in the locker room, Herbert played one last time for his loyal fan base. He greeted the group of soggy fans who had gathered behind the Chargers’ bench, posing for photos and signing autographs.