Here’s what we learned, what we heard and, especially, what comes next after the Chargers’ most dominating, most comprehensive, most resounding victory, a 40-7 rout of the lackluster New England Patriots on a chilly, rainy, foggy Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium:
CHEMISTRY 101
Center Bradley Bozeman said he had a good idea back in the spring that the Chargers would wind up where they did Saturday, clinching an AFC wild-card berth with their beat-down of the Patriots. He saw connections being formed during springtime practices and it impressed him.
“Guys came in with a mission to turn this thing around and make the playoffs this year, and we did,” said Bozeman, a seven-year veteran in his first season with the Chargers. “Guys have busted their butts all year long in all three phases (offense, defense and special teams). This is a true team. All together. No matter if the offense is down or defense is down, whichever one has to pick up the slack, they do.”
How far the Chargers can go in the upcoming playoffs could depend on their wild-card matchup, of course, but also whether they can remain as connected as they were Saturday against the Patriots and during their 34-27 comeback victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 16.
The Chargers clicked on all cylinders in both games.
Well, in the past six quarters, anyway.
Recall, they were outplayed and outscored in the first half by the Broncos, but they rallied behind quarterback Justin Herbert and defeated Denver in their final home game of the season at SoFi Stadium. Herbert threw two touchdown passes against the Broncos and three more against the Patriots.
Overall, despite playing with plantar fascia and ankle injuries, Herbert has thrown 21 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He is the youngest player to throw for more than 20,000 yards in NFL history with 20,747 in 70 career games. He threw for 281 yards Saturday against the Patriots.
“Amazing, amazing, the guy has battled his (rear end) off all year,” Bozeman said of the 26-year-old Herbert, who is in his fifth season in the NFL after a stellar career at the University of Oregon. “Fighting through injuries. Fighting through different stuff. Just, truly, the definition of grit.”
RESUME GAP
The Chargers’ overall lack of success in recent seasons has created a void on Herbert’s career resume. The upcoming wild-card game will be only the second of Herbert’s career, following the Chargers’ epic meltdown in a 31-30 come-from-ahead loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars two years ago.
Herbert completed 25 of 43 passes for 273 yards and one touchdown, but couldn’t prevent the Chargers from squandering a 27-0 lead. The Chargers managed only a field goal from Cameron Dicker in the second half as they were outscored 31-3 after building what looked like a commanding lead.
“It’s a testament to all the hard work we’ve put in this offseason and the way things have gone,” Herbert said when asked what it meant to him to return to the playoffs. “It’s been an honor to play alongside this team. We had a huge opportunity tonight, and we went out and took it.”
THE DOBBINS EFFECT
Running back J.K. Dobbins’ return from a four-game stint on injured reserve because of a sprained knee coincided with the Chargers’ clinching a playoff berth. As he pointed out, he’s never missed the playoffs when he’s been healthy. He was adamant that he was healthy again.
Dobbins, who spent his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and saw his team reach the playoffs in the 2020, ’22 and ’23 seasons, rushed for 76 yards and a 2-yard touchdown on 19 carries Saturday. He replaced Gus Edwards, who sat out because of an ankle injury.
WHAT COMES NEXT
It’s Raiders Week.
The NFL has held off announcing its Week 18 schedule, hoping to put the most attractive games in prime slots this coming weekend. With the Chargers (10-6) clinching a playoff berth and the Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) in last place in the AFC West, there’s little in the way of drama expected.
Or so it would seem.
In fact, a victory by the Chargers would enhance their chances at vaulting from sixth to fifth in the AFC playoff seedings. At present, the sixth-seeded Chargers would play the third-seeded Ravens in Baltimore. Jumping to fifth would require a Chargers victory and help from the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals, attempting to overtake the Denver Broncos and clinch the seventh and final spot in the playoffs, face the Pittsburgh Steelers in their Week 18 game. Victories by the Chargers and Bengals would vault the Chargers past the Steelers and into fifth, setting up a matchup with the Texans in Houston.