What to watch in Saturday’s Week 17 tripleheader

The Los Angeles Chargers are knocking on the door and trying to make the playoffs for the second time since 2018.

In Jim Harbaugh’s first season at the helm in Los Angeles, the head coach ran the ship while Justin Herbert commanded the offense. Herbert, who injured his ankle, led the Chargers in their comeback win in Week 16 against the Denver Broncos.

With a win in Saturday’s game, the Chargers can secure a spot in the postseason.

New England (3-12) has shown some moments of promise at times under first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, but their youth has struggled. The Patriots’ offense almost pulled off an upset last week against one of the AFC’s most powerful teams, the Buffalo Bills.

Will the Chargers secure a spot in the playoffs? Or will the Patriots play spoilsport?

Here are two things to watch for when the Chargers visit the Patriots on Saturday on NFL Network and NFL+:

1) The Chargers offense needs to find consistency. After a 34-point game against the Broncos, the Chargers offensive unit needs to take advantage against the struggling Patriots defense. Although Justin Herbert posted career lows in pass attempts per game (28.7) and passing yards per game (216.2), the Chargers QB was efficient with his decision-making in the passing game. This season, Herbert has thrown 18 passing touchdowns and three interceptions; Only Lamar Jackson has a better TD-INT ratio with 39 TDs to four INTs. According to Next Gen Stats, Herbert has 14 passing TDs and zero INTs in 2024 when not pressured. New England’s defense has pressured opponents on 29.7 percent of dropbacks, which ranks fourth-lowest in the NFL. Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who is the team’s leading receiver in targets (94), receptions (69) and receiving yards (960), will likely be covered by Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez. If Herbert and the Chargers can get receivers other than McConkey to contribute, LA could punch its playoff ticket in Jim Harbaugh’s first season.

2) Drake Mayes chance against a ranked defense. The Patriots’ rookie QB faces his toughest test on Saturday against a talented Chargers defense. LA is allowing 18.3 points per game in 2024, which was the fewest in the league entering Week 17. One positive for New England is that Maye has thrown at least one touchdown or more in the last seven games. It is the longest streak by a rookie QB since Justin Herbert (10 games) in 2020. However, Maye has also thrown one interception in the last seven games. Taking care of the ball will be crucial in Mayes and New England’s offense against the Chargers’ stingy defense of Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Derwin James. Maye will try to be the first rookie starting quarterback to beat the Chargers this season. It’s been nearly a decade since Jim Harbaugh lost to a rookie QB; The last QB to achieve this feat was Derek Carr in 2014 against the 49ers.