The Chargers defeated the Patriots in a blowout victory to clinch the playoff berth.

The Los Angeles Chargers clinched a playoff spot in Jim Harbaugh’s first season as head coach, defeating the New England Patriots 40-7 on Saturday.

The Kansas City Chiefs have already won the AFC West, so the Chargers will advance to the playoffs as a Wild Card team.

The Chargers started off hot, taking a 17-0 lead before the Patriots finally responded.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the third quarter at Gill Stadium. Lett (Picture of David Butler II-Imagn)

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Quarterback Justin Herbert hit wide receiver Derius Davis with a swipe. Connecting with him for a 23-yard touchdown on the ensuing offensive possession, kicker Cameron Dicker scored on a 27-yard field goal to give the Chargers a 10-0 lead.

After the field goal, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye couldn’t convert the field to defender and Derwin James Jr. recovered a fumble. So the Chargers have a good midfield position.

Herbert took advantage of good field position and hit rookie receiver Ladd McConkie for a six-yard touchdown to go up 17-0.

The Chargers, meanwhile, took a commanding lead. May temporarily left the sideline in the first quarter to be checked for a concussion.

The Patriots’ rookie quarterback was struggling trying to convert a third and fourth along the sideline when Chargers defensive back Cam Hart hit Maye high, where there was helmet-to-helmet contact.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) passes for a touchdown to wide receiver Ladd McConkie (15). New England Patriots in the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Picture of David Butler II-Imagn)

May fumbled the ball when attacked. But the Patriots recovered.

After being attacked, Maye sat down for a moment before finally getting up.

He was initially evaluated in a blue medical tent. Then he was taken to the locker room. He was then cleared to return to play.

The Patriots’ lone highlight of the game came when Maye had the Chargers jump offside. Then, with a pressure on his face Throw a dime 36 yards to wide receiver Demario Douglas for a touchdown.

The touchdown gave the Chargers a 17-7 lead, but it would be the only point the Patriots would score all day.

Herbert led the Chargers’ offense down and gave Dicker a chance to score before halftime.

Dicker scored well from 38 yards out and the Chargers took a 20-7 halftime lead.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Stadium (Picture of David Butler II-Imagn)

The Chargers caught the gas coming out of the second half.

The Patriots got the ball out of the first half but went three and out.

Herbert then took a 10-play, 94-yard lead with a 40-yard touchdown pass capped by Ladd McConkey to put the Chargers up 27-7 and effectively seal the game in the third quarter.

Chargers running back JK Dobbins scored a touchdown on his return from injury in the fourth quarter.

Herbert was outstanding in the victory. He attempted 26-38 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns. The quarterback was pulled with over ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter with the game well out of reach.

McConkey passed Keenan Allen for the most catches by a rookie in a single season in Chargers history, with eight receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) passes for the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Picture of David Butler II-Imagn)

It was the first time the Chargers scored 40 points in a game since 2021.

May was 12 of 22 for 117 yards and one touchdown, with six carries for 32 yards in the loss.

The last time the Chargers made the playoffs was in the 2022-2023 season when they suffered one of the biggest setbacks in NFL history when they lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-30 after taking the lead. 27-0 at one point

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