Following the Los Angeles Chargers’ 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots, coach Jim Harbaugh seized general manager Joe Hortiz and gave him a bear embrace as impromptu festivities erupted in the locker room.
“Love you!” said Harbaugh.
“Love you!” Hortiz answered.
“Excellent work! “Let’s continue,” Harbaugh said, releasing his hold at last.
The Chargers (10-6) have returned to the postseason. The message, however, is unmistakable: They aim to accomplish much more.
Los Angeles secured its second postseason spot in three seasons with the victory on Saturday, led by three touchdown throws from Justin Herbert.
“We had a good opportunity tonight and we went out and took it,” Herbert stated. “Our plan worked well. We were aware of how important this game was to us for the entire week. The guys were concentrated and on point, and we performed well today.”
In addition, it brought Harbaugh’s five seasons as an NFL coach to four postseason appearances, including three during his time with the San Francisco 49ers.
Harbaugh remarked, “You talk to them and there’s more to do,” “Coaching these players could not be a greater job for any coach. No one. Perhaps the only one who might have it better than us would be us in the future.
Herbert became the third player in NFL history to have at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons, finishing 26 of 38 for 281 yards. In addition to Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning, he is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Ladd McConkey hauled in TD throws of 6 and 40 yards and had eight catches for 94 yards. He became the third Chargers rookie receiver to achieve 1,000 yards receiving for the season with a 10-yard reception in the second quarter.
For 76 yards and a touchdown, JK Dobbins ran 19 times.
This is the second losing skid of the season for the Patriots (3-13), who have now dropped six straight games. After two home seasons, they are at 2-14.
“We just didn’t play well enough in any phase of the game,” coach Jerod Mayo stated. “No complementary football, and that’s what you get.”
Mayo responded that it comes with the position when asked if he believes he is coaching for his job.
“I’m always under pressure and it’s been that way for a very long time, not just when I became the head coach of the Patriots,” he stated.
Drake Maye, the quarterback for the New England Patriots, completed 12 of 22 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. With a touchdown throw in eight consecutive games, he became the first rookie quarterback in the history of the team. However, he was sacked four times, and he had at least one turnover in eight consecutive games after a fumble in the second quarter.
Los Angeles won the game 428–181 over New England.
After taking a hit to his helmet during the first quarter, Maye exited the game for a short while to be assessed for a head injury.
On third down of the Patriots’ opening possession, he was scurrying close to the sideline when Chargers CB Cam Hart struck him, jerking the ball away and sending Maye spinning out of bounds.
Maye remained on the turf for a few seconds before rising and jogging off the field, however no flag was raised during the play. Before proceeding to the medical tent for assessment, he first sat on the bench.
The following series concluded in a punt, and backup Jacoby Brissett took his place. However, Maye returned to the game at 10:15 in the second quarter of the Patriots’ third series after additional evaluation in the locker room and a 27-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker put the Chargers ahead 10-0.
On his first play back, Maye scampered for nine yards until he was struck by linebacker Junior Colson as he fell to the ground. Colson received a warning for being overly rough.
Five plays later, Maye misjudged a pass to Demario Douglas, resulting in a fumble that Derwin James recovered.
Nine plays after the Chargers grabbed control of the New England 24, Herbert and McConkey connected for a 6-yard touchdown pass, putting Los Angeles ahead 17-0.
Injuries
Chargers: WR Due to a heel injury, Joshua Palmer left the game in the third quarter. DB Following a collision in the third quarter, Elijah Molden hobbled off the court. After he came back, a shin injury forced him to leave the field on a golf cart.
Patriots: In addition to Maye, Christian Gonzalez, the cornerback, was also ruled out due to a concussion after leaving the game in the second quarter to be assessed for a head injury.
Rookie record
Additionally, McConkey, a second-round pick, broke Keenan Allen’s 2013 rookie record of 71 catches for the Chargers.
Up next
Chargers: In their regular-season finale, travel to Las Vegas.
Next Sunday, the Patriots will host Buffalo for their season finale.
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