Chargers Clinch Playoff Berth with Win Over Patriots

Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes including a pair to Lane McConkey and the defense allowed just 181 total yards as the visiting Los Angeles Chargers overwhelmed the New England Patriots 40-7 on December 28th. It was the tenth win of the season for the Chargers (10-6), who doubled their victory total from last year. L.A. also clinched a playoff berth for first year head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Patriots fell to 3-13.

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The Chargers finish the regular season January 5th against another hapless 3-13 team, traveling to Las Vegas to face the Raiders. L.A. still has something to play for, as a win and a loss by the Pittsburgh Steelers would place the Chargers as the fifth seed in the AFC. Pittsburgh will host 8-8 Cincinnati, a team that has gotten hot at the end of the season with a four game winning streak. The Bengals will be aiming to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, while the 10-6 Steelers (who have clinched a playoff berth) will try to stop a three game losing streak.