Justin Herbert threw for three touchdowns and set an NFL record for most passing yards in the first five years of a career as the Los Angeles Chargers secured a playoff spot with a commanding 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday.
Herbert completed 28 of 38 passes for 281 yards, bringing his career total to 20,699 yards and surpassing Peyton Manning’s previous record of 20,618. Despite his milestone, Herbert credited his teammates for the accomplishment. “It says so much about the guys we had catching those passes and the great offensive line,” he said.
| Chargers vs. Patriots Highlights | Score/Stats |
|---|---|
| Justin Herbert Passing Yards | 281 |
| Herbert Touchdowns | 3 |
| Key Play: Herbert to McConkey (40 yards) | 4th Quarter Touchdown |
| Final Score | Chargers 40, Patriots 7 |
Chargers Dominate Patriots
The Chargers established their dominance early, with Herbert connecting on a 23-yard touchdown pass to Derius Davis in the first quarter. A Cameron Dicker field goal and a touchdown pass to rookie Ladd McConkey extended the lead to 17-0 by halftime.
Although Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye briefly rallied with a 36-yard touchdown pass to DeMario Douglas, the Chargers quickly put the game out of reach. Herbert found McConkey again for a 40-yard score, and J.K. Dobbins capped the game with a two-yard rushing touchdown.
The loss extended New England’s slump to six games, dropping their season record to 3-13, as they faced boos from fans at Gillette Stadium.
Bengals Win Overtime Thriller, Broncos’ Playoff Hopes Dim
The Denver Broncos suffered a crushing 30-24 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow led the way with two touchdowns, including a game-winning three-yard pass to Tee Higgins in overtime.
| Broncos vs. Bengals Highlights | Score/Stats |
|---|---|
| Joe Burrow Passing Yards | 289 |
| Bo Nix Passing Yards (Broncos) | 268 |
| Key Play: Higgins’ Game-Winning TD | 3 Yards (Overtime) |
| Final Score | Bengals 30, Broncos 24 |
The Bengals’ win, their fourth in a row, keeps their playoff hopes alive after overcoming a 4-8 record earlier in the season. Meanwhile, Denver must now defeat the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in their final game to secure a playoff berth.
Playoff Picture
The Chargers are now assured of their second postseason appearance in three seasons, while the Bengals remain in contention. Attention shifts to the Los Angeles Rams, who face the Arizona Cardinals later Saturday in a crucial game for their playoff aspirations.
