Chargers Clinch Playoff Berth in Commanding Win Over Patriots
Chargers clinch a ticket back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022 via a dominating performance from all phases against the New England Patriots.
Austin Gage | Contributing Sports Writer
After a busy offseason following a disappointing 5-12 season in 2023 that saw themselves finishing last in the AFC West, the Los Angeles Chargers will play in a playoff game once again as they clinched their spot following a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots.
The new-look 2024 Chargers were able to put the cherry on top of a successful season Saturday afternoon in convincing fashion.
For a roster that experienced a massive overhaul which included the departure of past stars such as wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, and running back Austin Ekeler, not much was expected from most experts as they projected Los Angeles’ chances at making a run in the postseason. In addition to a newly shaped roster, head coach Jim Harbaugh, who had just experienced a championship at the college level with the University of Michigan, was brought in to replace a fired Brandon Staley, the three-season head coach of the past.
Key additions to make up for those departures included talent acquisition in the free agency market and the draft. It proved to be a productive offseason for the Bolts as they added difference makers by contracts among the likes of running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, tight end Will Dissly, center Bradley Bozeman and cornerback Kristian Fulton. On top of those, Los Angeles struck gold in the draft on multiple selections. First-round offensive tackle Joe Alt is playing at an All-Pro level, second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey surpassed 1,000 receiving yards and passed Allen as the franchise rookie leader in receptions and yards and fifth-round cornerbacks Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart have had strong seasons with the former collecting four interceptions.
Saturday’s win was a culmination of a strong retooling in player personnel and coaching.
“Just so proud of the team, all those who made it happen, the players, the coaches. There was so much great play. It’s an incredible feeling, the hand of God is really on this team. We’re just going to keep grinding and moving forward, but super proud of everybody,” Harbaugh said on the game and the playoff clinch.
The game was never truly competitive as the Chargers raced to a 17-0 lead by the later stages of the second quarter. After a healthy offensive game last week against the Denver Broncos, it was more of the same on that side of the ball against the Patriots.
To get things started for Los Angeles, quarterback Justin Herbert was able to find wide receiver and return specialist Derius Davis for a 23-yard score on the unit’s second offensive drive of the game. A diving catch in spectacular fashion by Davis in the endzone gave the Chargers an early lead and saw the former All-Pro specialist make it back-to-back weeks with a receiving score after tallying the first in his career last Thursday.
The story of the day on defense was one that Chargers’ fans know very well: the excellence of star safety Derwin James Jr. A two-time All-Pro himself, James Jr. flashed his versatility against the rookie quarterback Drake Maye and the entire New England defense. Ending his day with two sacks in addition to recovering a fumble midway through the second quarter, the defensive captain set the energy for the entire group.
After the fumble recovery, Los Angeles moved down the field on a touchdown-scoring drive smoothly with moderate gains no longer than ten yards. Staring at a first and goal from the Patriots’ six-yard line, Herbert zipped a pass in to McConkey near the back of the endzone for six. The rookie wide receiver continued his stellar debut season and used a clean route to free up space for himself to grab the score. McConkey would go on to catch eight balls for 94 receiving yards and totaled two touchdowns on the day.
The touchdown reception gave the Chargers a 17-0 lead that would morph into a 20-7 lead entering halftime.
New England would not score the rest of the day. Los Angeles, on the other hand, would.
The Herbert-McConkey connection flashed again on the Chargers’ first offensive drive of the second half. Driving into Patriots’ territory, the former dropped back and found the latter down the seam for a huge 40-yard touchdown. McConkey raced by his defender and Herbert placed the football right into his hands to give the Bolts a 27-7 lead midway through the third quarter. Herbert, for his efforts, threw for three passing touchdowns with 26 of 38 passing for 281 yards through the air. The star quarterback now sits at a very impressive 21:3 touchdown to interception ratio on the season.
With the contest pretty much wrapped up, Los Angeles was able to add two more field goals from the foot of kicker Cameron Dicker and a rushing touchdown from Dobbins, who was able to score in his first game back since his activation off the IR.
A final 40-7 scoreline saw the visiting Chargers leave Foxborough with a statement win and a playoff berth. The opponent for Wild Card Weekend, the first week of playoff matchups around the league, for Los Angeles will either be the Houston Texans, the Baltimore Ravens or the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chargers have not faced the Texans this season, although they lost to both the Ravens and Steelers earlier in the campaign.
“You look in that locker room and everybody plays for each other. The respect that we have for everyone in that building, our locker room, the coaching staff, the player personnel staff and everyone, it’s been an honor to play for them and alongside them because everybody’s doing their best and it showed today,” said Herbert.
Next week, Los Angeles will take on the 4-12 Las Vegas Raiders on the road. After the conclusion of key matchups in Week 18, they will receive clarity on their playoff matchup.
