The Los Angeles Chargers can take some of the suspense out of the AFC playoff picture on Saturday, taking on the New England Patriots. Jim Harbaugh’s bunch can sew up one of the two remaining spots on the AFC side of the playoff bracket with a win over the 3-12 Patriots, who’ve struggled in a rebuilding year in their first season post-Bill Belichick. The Chargers — who enter Week 17 at 9-6 — have lost three of their last five games and are trying to build some momentum for an eventual playoff run that would start on the road, with the Chiefs having won the AFC West. The Patriots have lost six of their last seven, but rookie quarterback Drake Maye has shown some promise, completing nearly 70% of his throws in that stretch.
Saturday’s second game has some playoff implications in the AFC as the 9-6 Denver Broncos head to Cincinnati to take on the 7-8 Bengals. Denver can wrap up a playoff berth with a win over the Bengals, who need a win to stay alive in the postseason hunt. The Bengals have won three in a row to stay in it behind one of the league’s most explosive offenses — Joe Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards and is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes — while Denver had its four-game win streak end last week against the Chargers.
In the NFC, the Rams can win the NFC West with a win over the Arizona Cardinals Saturday night, thanks to clinching a strength-of-victory tie-breaker over Seattle. The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention last week with a loss to the Panthers. The Rams are closing well, having won their last four games, but they’ve scored just 31 total points in wins over the 49ers and Jets over the past two weeks.
Drake Maye found DeMario Douglas for a 36-yard touchdown. Patriots cut the Chargers’ lead to 17-7 as we approach halftime.
Justin Herbert sets NFL passing record
Herbert now has the most career passing yards in a player’s first five NFL seasons.
The four quarterbacks behind him now:
2. Peyton Manning 20,618 3. Jameis Winston 19,737 4. Dan Marino 19,422 5. Andrew Luck 19,078
Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez ruled out with concussion
Ladd McConkey scores 2nd TD in three weeks
Herbert finds McConkey in the back of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown. Chargers now lead 17-0.
Chargers recover fumble in Patriots’ territory
A bit of trickery failed by the Patriots as Drake Maye’s pitch to DeMario Douglas is fumbled and recovered by Derwin James of the Chargers.
The Patriots lead the NFL in fumbles with 29.
Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez questionable to return
Chargers settle for field goal, take 10-0 lead
Cameron Dicker, now 32-for-34 this season, hits a 27-yard field goal to extend the Chargers’ second quarter lead.
Drake Maye cleared to return
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche that Maye will re-enter the game after being cleared to return.
Drake Maye back on Patriots’ bench after being evaluated for a concussion
Drake Maye has returned to the Patriots’ bench area from the locker room. After sitting next to OC Alex Van Pelt, and then speaking with Jacoby Brissett and Hunter Henry, he is now pacing up and down the sideline.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 28: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots is down after a hit during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Chargers take 7-0 lead in first quarter
Justin Herbert connected with wide receiver Derius Davis for a 23-yard touchdown to put the Chargers on the board first. The reception capped off an 11-play, 91-yard drive for LA.
Drake Maye questionable to return
Maye took a helmet-to-helmet from Chargers CB Cam Hart three snaps into the game and is now in the locker room to be further evaluated.
Maye suffered a concussion in Week 8 against the New York Jets.
Patriots QB Drake Maye to the medical tent
Patriots QB Drake Maye is heading into the blue tent. He took a helmet-to-helmet hit on third down and stayed down for a bit after the play.
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