Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Chargers earned their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday.
The win also secured Jim Harbaugh’s fourth postseason appearance in five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers.
Herbert went 26-38 for 281 yards to become the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.
Ladd McConkey had eight catches for 94 yards and hauled in TD throws of 6 and 40 yards. With a 10-yard reception in the second quarter, he passed 1,000 receiving yards for the season, becoming the third Chargers rookie receiver to reach that milestone.
JK Dobbins rushed 19 times for 76 yards and a TD.
The Patriots have lost six straight games, their second losing streak of the season. They are now 2-14 over the past two seasons at home.
New England quarterback Drake May finished 12-of-22 for 117 yards and a touchdown. He became the first rookie quarterback in franchise history with a TD pass in eight straight games. But he was sacked four times, and the second-quarter fumble marked his eighth straight game with at least one turnover.
Los Angeles outgained New England 428-181.
May left the game briefly to be evaluated for a head injury after injuring his helmet in the first quarter.
He was scrambling near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart, causing Maye to turn the ball loose as he spun out of bounds.
No flag was thrown on the play and May was down on the field for several seconds before eventually getting up and walking off the field. He initially sat on a bench before going to the medical tent for evaluation.
He was replaced on the next series by backup Jacoby Brissett, who ended up with a punt. But after further evaluation in the locker room and a Cameron Dicker 27-yard field goal that put the Chargers up 10-0, May returned to the game for the Patriots’ third series, at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter. .
May scrambled for 9 yards on his first play back, which ended with him being hit by linebacker Junior Colson as he slid to the ground. Colson was flagged for unnecessary roughness.
Five plays later, Maye mistimed a throw to Demario Douglas, causing a fumble that was recovered by Derwin James.
The Chargers took possession at the New England 24 and nine plays later, Herbert connected with McConkie for a 6-yard touchdown pass to put Los Angeles ahead 17–0.
injuries
Chargers: WR Joshua Palmer left the game in the third quarter with a heel injury. DB Elijah Molden was carted off the field after a collision in the third quarter. He returned but was later carted off the field on a golf cart with a shin injury.
Patriots: In addition to Maye, CB Christian Gonzalez left the game in the second quarter to be evaluated for a head injury and was later ruled out with a concussion.
Rookie record
McConkie, a second-round draft pick, also set the Chargers rookie record for catches, surpassing Keenan Allen, who had 71 in 2013.
Next
Chargers: Head to Las Vegas in their regular-season finale.
Patriots: Host Buffalo in their season finale next Sunday.
Reporting by the Associated Press.
(Want to get great stories delivered to your inbox? Create or log into your FOX Sports account Follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.)

Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about sports, news and more