The Chargers are in the playoffs.
In Jim Harbaugh’s first season as the Chargers’ head coach, he has completed a major turnaround, cleaning up a mess left behind by Brandon Staley and turning his team into a winner. The Chargers’ playoff berth was clinched today with a 40-7 destruction of the Patriots.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was excellent today in New England, completing 26 of 38 passes for 281 yard, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Herbert left the game in garbage time and was replaced by backup Taylor Heinicke, and it’s possible that his regular season is over, if Harbaugh decides to have Herbert sit out next week’s regular-season finale to stay healthy for the postseason.
The loss drops the Patriots to 3-13, and keeps them in contention for the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. It’s been an ugly year in New England, with the one notable exception that rookie quarterback Drake Maye is showing promise. Maye went to the locker room today after taking a hard hit to the head, but he returned to the game, and although it was far from his best performance, he does appear to be the franchise quarterback New England needs.
In Herbert, the Chargers definitely have their franchise quarterback. Now they need him to take the next step by doing something he has not yet done in his NFL career: Win a playoff game.
