The Los Angeles Chargers can take some of the suspense out of the AFC playoff picture on Saturday, taking on the New England Patriots. Jim Harbaugh’s bunch can sew up one of the two remaining spots on the AFC side of the playoff bracket with a win over the 3-12 Patriots, who’ve struggled in a rebuilding year in their first season post-Bill Belichick. The Chargers — who enter Week 17 at 9-6 — have lost three of their last five games and are trying to build some momentum for an eventual playoff run that would start on the road, with the Chiefs having won the AFC West. The Patriots have lost six of their last seven, but rookie quarterback Drake Maye has shown some promise, completing nearly 70% of his throws in that stretch.
Saturday’s second game has some playoff implications in the AFC as the 9-6 Denver Broncos head to Cincinnati to take on the 7-8 Bengals. Denver can wrap up a playoff berth with a win over the Bengals, who need a win to stay alive in the postseason hunt. The Bengals have won three in a row to stay in it behind one of the league’s most explosive offenses — Joe Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards and is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes — while Denver had its four-game win streak end last week against the Chargers.
In the NFC, the Rams can win the NFC West with a win over the Arizona Cardinals Saturday night, thanks to clinching a strength-of-victory tie-breaker over Seattle. The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention last week with a loss to the Panthers. The Rams are closing well, having won their last four games, but they’ve scored just 31 total points in wins over the 49ers and Jets over the past two weeks.
Week 17 NFL Saturday schedule
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Another sack for Derwin James
The Chargers stop the Patriots on fourth down up 30-7 late in the third quarter.
Chargers go up 30-7
Cameron Dicker hits his third field goal of the game, a 41-yard effort, to extend the LA lead over the Patriots.
Fans don’t need to be reminded, but the Patriots held the No. 34 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They traded Nos. 34 and 137 for Nos. 37 and 110.
The Chargers took WR Ladd McConkey at 34 and CB Taheeb Still at 137. The Patriots took Ja’Lynn Polk at 37 and Javon Baker at 110.…
Herbert and the rookie receiver connect for a 40-yard score as the Chargers take a commanding 27-7 lead midway through the 3rd quarter.
Derius Davis’ punt return for TD called back due to two Chargers penalties
Illegal block in the back and holding penalties take a potential touchdown away from the Chargers.
LA still leads 20-7 in the third quarter.
From @ESPNStatsInfo: Drake Maye now has 3 touchdown passes this season of at least 35 or more air yards, the most such TD passes by a Patriots quarterback in a season since Tom Brady (3) in 2009.
Drake Maye found DeMario Douglas for a 36-yard touchdown. Patriots cut the Chargers’ lead to 17-7 as we approach halftime.
Justin Herbert sets NFL passing record
Herbert now has the most career passing yards in a player’s first five NFL seasons.
The four quarterbacks behind him now:
2. Peyton Manning 20,618 3. Jameis Winston 19,737 4. Dan Marino 19,422 5. Andrew Luck 19,078
Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez ruled out with concussion
Ladd McConkey scores 2nd TD in three weeks
Herbert finds McConkey in the back of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown. Chargers now lead 17-0.
Chargers recover fumble in Patriots’ territory
A bit of trickery failed by the Patriots as Drake Maye’s pitch to DeMario Douglas is fumbled and recovered by Derwin James of the Chargers.
The Patriots lead the NFL in fumbles with 29.
Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez questionable to return
Chargers settle for field goal, take 10-0 lead
Cameron Dicker, now 32-for-34 this season, hits a 27-yard field goal to extend the Chargers’ second quarter lead.
Drake Maye cleared to return
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche that Maye will re-enter the game after being cleared to return.
Drake Maye back on Patriots’ bench after being evaluated for a concussion
Drake Maye has returned to the Patriots’ bench area from the locker room. After sitting next to OC Alex Van Pelt, and then speaking with Jacoby Brissett and Hunter Henry, he is now pacing up and down the sideline.
The Chargers, who can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a tie today, lead 7-0 after the first quarter.
They out-gained the Patriots in total yards 126-6 and had the ball for 11:33 of the opening 15 minutes.
QB Jacoby Brissett enters game for Patriots
Drake Maye is questionable to return.
More here.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 28: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots is down after a hit during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Dina Dodson is a writer who covers sports, education, and tech. She loves to write about the stories that make her feel like she's living in the future, whether it's using a state-of-the-art virtual reality headset or learning how to code. Her hobbies include lifting heavy things and watching YouTube videos of people lifting heavy things.
