Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday. The win also secured the fourth postseason appearance in Jim Harbaugh’s five seasons as an NFL coach,

The Chargers obliterated the New England Patriots 40-7, clinching a wild-card spot. The Chargers improved to 10-6. They still have a shot at the No. 5 seed, which is valuable because that team will play the Houston Texans, who will be the weakest of the AFC's division winners and are locked into the No. 4 seed.

The loss moved New England (3-12) into position for the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, something the Patriots will likely maintain with losses in the final games against Los Angeles and Buffalo. Wins in either contest would likely drop New England several spots in the draft order.