BOX score

Michael Baca’s insights:

1. Ladd and Derwin are the stars of the Chargers’ stunning win to advance to the playoffs. The Chargers pulled off an impressive team victory, defeating New England and clinching a spot in the 2024 playoffs on Saturday, but two individual performances on both sides stood out. Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey featured a Bolts offense that scored on eight of its ten total possessions and brought in two touchdown receptions. The second-round pick weaved through defenders on a short-yard route to grab a ball in traffic in the end zone on the first score of the game and screamed upfield for a 40-yard dime Justin Herbert to highlight Saturday’s loss in the third quarter. McConkey, who started the afternoon with a drop, finished with eight catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns, continuing his fantastic rookie season. Derwin James was equally effective on defense, recording two sacks and a fumble recovery to lead a completely dominant Chargers unit. The veteran safety was particularly strong when he was on the offensive line, and his menacing presence was key to the defense, which provided a confidence boost in Week 17.
2. The lack of support for Maye remains. Boos erupted at Gillette Stadium late in the fourth quarter as New England headed for its 13th loss of the season. Those taunts were justified after the Patriots managed just 181 yards of total offense, 11 first downs and three turnovers on downs against the Chargers, but that wasn’t necessarily the result Drake Mayeis a game. Maye, who was briefly sidelined in the first quarter after taking a hit to the head in a scramble, was harassed throughout the game with four sacks and a number of pressures against a blitz-happy opponent. His supporting cast didn’t help, as receivers dropped balls and a ground game produced just seven rushing yards in three quarters. Maye was the team’s leading rusher (32 yards) until the final period and the lack of a rushing attack made things easy for the Chargers. It also prevented Maye from showing off his strong arm, but the rookie made a nice – albeit risky – throw for a 36-yard touchdown Demario Douglas in the second frame. Maye completed 12 of 22 passes for 117 yards with one TD and zero interceptions, but his development continues to be a complicated measure thanks to the team around him.
3. Dobbins’ return has a slow start and a strong finish. Chargers are running back JK Dobbins He returned to action after a four-game absence due to a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve. The veteran got off to a slow start, averaging just 3.2 yards on nine carries at halftime, but Dobbins found a groove in the second half, rushing for 47 yards on 10 carries and scoring on a 2-yard rush to start the half the end zone fourth quarter. Dobbins, who had a catch for seven yards on his return, had to shake off some rust but showed some excitement as the game went on. Getting their leading RB back into shape will be crucial to Jim Harbaugh’s physical offense heading into the postseason. That process began Saturday and it’s poised to improve with one more game played before LA looks for its first playoff win since 2018.

Insight into next-gen stats for Chargers-Patriots (via NFL Pro): Drake Maye blitzed on 32.3% of his dropbacks in Week 17, completing just 1 of 7 passes for 7 yards while recording 3 sacks (-42.8% CPOE). When not blitzed, Maye completed 11 of 15 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown (+13.6% CPOE). Maye has completed just 54.8% of his passes against the Lightning this season, second-lowest in the NFL and only more than Anthony Richardson (39.7%).

NFL Research: Ladd McConkey, who passed Keenan Allen for the most receptions in a rookie season in Chargers history, tied Odell Beckham for the most consecutive games with more than 50 receiving yards in a rookie season in the last 20 NFL seasons.