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“Love you!” exclaimed Harbaugh.
“Love you!” Hortiz replied.
“Great job! Let’s keep it going,” Harbaugh said, finally releasing his hold.
With this win, the Chargers (10-6) have secured their playoff spot, but they are clearly aiming for greater achievements.
Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for three touchdown passes, leading Los Angeles to its second postseason berth in three years.
“We had a great opportunity tonight and seized it,” Herbert stated. “We had a solid plan. All week, we understood the significance of this game for us. The guys were focused, dialed in, and we executed well today.”
This victory also marks Harbaugh’s fourth playoff appearance in five seasons as an NFL head coach, adding to the three he achieved during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers.
“You talk to them, and they feel there’s more left to achieve,” Harbaugh expressed. “No coach could wish for anything better than to lead these players. Maybe only our future selves could ask for more.”
Herbert completed 26 out of 38 passes for 281 yards, becoming just the third player in NFL history to amass at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons, joining legends Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.
Wide receiver Ladd McConkey had a standout performance with eight receptions for 94 yards, scoring touchdowns on catches of 6 and 40 yards. With a 10-yard reception in the second quarter, he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the season, becoming the third rookie receiver in Chargers history to reach that milestone.
Running back JK Dobbins contributed significantly as well, rushing for 76 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
On the other side, the Patriots (3-13) continue to struggle, suffering their sixth consecutive defeat, marking the second such streak for them this season. They now hold a dismal 2-14 record at home over the last two seasons.
“We simply didn’t perform well in any aspect of the game,” stated coach Jerod Mayo. “There was no sense of complementary football, and that’s the result you get.”
When asked if he felt pressure regarding his coaching position, Mayo acknowledged that this scrutiny is part of the role.
“I’ve always been under pressure, and that’s been the case for a long time, not just since I became the head coach of the Patriots,” he commented.
New England’s quarterback, Drake Maye, completed 12 of 22 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. He made history as the first rookie quarterback in franchise history to throw a touchdown pass in eight consecutive games. However, he faced challenges, including being sacked four times and continuing a streak of eight games with at least one turnover following a second-quarter fumble.
Los Angeles outperformed New England significantly, outgaining them 428 yards to 181.
Maye briefly exited the game for a head injury evaluation after a hit to the helmet during the first quarter.
He had been scrambling on third down during the Patriots’ opening possession when Chargers cornerback Cam Hart hit him, resulting in a fumble as Maye went out of bounds.
No penalty was called on the play, and Maye remained on the ground for several moments before getting up and jogging off the field. He sat on the bench initially but was later evaluated in the medical tent.
He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett for the next series, which concluded with a punt. After more assessments, and following a 27-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker that put the Chargers ahead 10-0, Maye returned for the Patriots’ third series of the game early in the second quarter.
Upon his return, Maye gained 9 yards on his first play but was hit by linebacker Junior Colson as he slid down, with Colson receiving an unnecessary roughness penalty.
Shortly after, Maye mishandled a toss to Demario Douglas, resulting in a fumble recovered by Derwin James. The Chargers took advantage of the turnover, scoring a touchdown on a 6-yard pass from Herbert to McConkey, extending their lead to 17-0.
In terms of injuries, the Chargers saw receiver Joshua Palmer exit in the third quarter with a heel issue, while defensive back Elijah Molden left the field after a collision but returned before later being carted off due to a shin injury.
The Patriots also dealt with injuries, as defensive back Christian Gonzalez left the game for a head injury evaluation and was later ruled out with a concussion.
Notably, McConkey, a second-round selection, broke the Chargers rookie record for receptions, surpassing Keenan Allen’s mark of 71 from 2013.
Looking ahead, the Chargers will head to Las Vegas for their regular-season finale, while the Patriots are set to take on Buffalo at home next Sunday to conclude their season.
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