Justin Herbert throws 3 touchdowns in a 40-7 road victory over New England as coach Jim Harbaugh leads the team back to the playoffs in his first season

The Chargers clinched a playoff berth in Harbaugh’s first season — a year after they won only five games. They did it in as convincing a fashion as possible, dominating New England for four quarters. Herbert led the way through the air with McConkey serving as his top target.

Jim Harbaugh is doing exactly what he was hired to do, transforming the Chargers into winners against franchises they historically struggled against.

The Patriots are back home for the final two weeks of the 2024 season as they look to close the year on a high note.

Here’s everything we know from the Patriots’ Week 17 loss: No answer for Ladd McConkey: The Patriots had no answers defensively for Chargers star rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, who torched them for 96 receiving yards and two touchdowns. There were multiple breakdowns in communication in the secondary that led to big plays for McConkey.

Jerod Mayo’s Patriots were demolished by the Chargers in a 40-7 loss at Gillette Stadium. Takeaways and more as the Patriots fall to 3-13.