The Chargers secured a playoff berth in Week 17 with a 40-7 win over the New England. The Bolts will play on Wild Card weekend in the postseason.
Here is a game recap from Week 17:
First Quarter
Justin Herbert, Derwin James, Bradley Bozeman, Rashawn Slater, Khalil Mack and Nick Niemann were the Chargers captains. The Patriots won the toss and elected to defer. The Chargers started on offense at their own 8-yard line but punted on the opening possession. The Bolts defense forced a three-and-out on New England's first drive as the Chargers took over at their own 9. The Bolts methodically marched down the field and converted on fourth-and-3 from the Patriots 43 when Herbert hit Quentin Johnston for 19 yards. Derius Davis, who caught his first career touchdown in Week 16, added another on a diving 23-yard grab to give the Chargers an early 7-0 lead.
The Bolts defense kept up their hot start as they forced a three-and-out for the second straight possession. The Chargers started at their own 24. The Bolts nearly reached midfield as the first quarter came to a close.
Second Quarter
The Bolts moved into the red zone but their drive stalled out inside the 10-yard line. Cameron Dicker came on to hit a 27-yard field goal as the Bolts went up 10-0 with just over 10 minutes left in the quarter. The Bolts then forced a turnover as Drake Maye fumbled and James recovered it in Patriots territory.
The offense started at the New England 44 and quickly moved into the red zone while converting on multiple third downs. The Chargers capped the drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Ladd McConkey, who surpassed 1,000 receiving yards on the season. The score put the Bolts up 17-0 late in the second quarter.
The Patriots got on the board for the first time on their next drive when Maye threw a 36-yard touchdown pass. Up 17-7, the Chargers moved into New England territory and converted on fourth-and-3 from the 44 when Herbert hit Stone Smartt for 9 yards. The drive ended with another Dicker field goal, this one from 38 yards out, as the Bolts took a 20-7 lead into halftime.
Third Quarter
The Chargers defense forced a three-and-out to open the second half. The Bolts started at their own 6 and went 94 yards in what turned out to be a historic drive for McConkey. The Chargers advanced into Patriots territory before McConkey caught a 40-yard touchdown that set a Chargers rookie receiving record.
The Chargers defense continued to swarm as James sacked Maye on fourth down on the Patriots ensuing drive to set the Bolts up at the New England 23.
Leading 27-7, the Bolts added to their lead with Dicker's third field goal of the game, this one from 41 yards out. The Patriots moved into Chargers territory but James thwarted the drive with a fourth-down sack.
The Bolts converted on a third down and added 15 more yards on a Patriots personal foul to move into New England territory. The Chargers reached the red zone and led 30-7 as the quarter came to a close.
Fourth Quarter
The Chargers added to their lead early in the fourth quarter as Dobbins rumbled his way in for a 2-yard touchdown run. Dobbins' score was his ninth of the season, which tied his career high.
The Chargers defense stymied the Patriots once again as New England punted on its ensuing drive. Taylor Heinicke took over at quarterback as the Chargers made multiple lineup changes in the fourth quarter. The Bolts punted on their next possession and then forced another turnover on downs before Dicker kicked another field goal to make the score 40-7 late in the fourth quarter. The Chargers earned a lopsided win to clinch a playoff spot. The Bolts are at Las Vegas in Week 18.
