FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — In Week 14 final season, the Los Angeles Chargers have been surrounded by followers of their house stadium chanting for the firing of then-coach Brandon Staley amid a disappointing season.
Slightly over a yr later, the Chargers noticed what that felt like from the opposite facet.
As Los Angeles steamrolled the New England Patriots 40-7 on Saturday to clinch a playoff spot, the small contingent of New England followers left at Gillette Stadium started to chant “Fire Mayo,” referring to Patriots coach Jerod Mayo. It was simply the second time New England had misplaced by 30 or extra factors at house this century.
Saturday’s win was the Chargers’ finest efficiency of the season and maybe the clearest instance of simply how a lot this staff has modified in a yr underneath coach Jim Harbaugh.
“It feels good to be taking part in significant soccer,” security Derwin James mentioned. “I keep in mind being on my sofa final yr simply wishing and questioning, ‘Man, like, what I must do otherwise to have the ability to make sure that I do not get the identical feeling this yr, man?’ And I’m simply completely satisfied, pleased with the blokes that put forth the hassle to assist us get right here.”
James had certainly one of his finest video games, sacking Patriots quarterback Drake Maye twice to carry his season whole to a career-best 5.5. The protection shut down a New England offense that had scored 21 factors on one of many NFL’s finest groups final weekend within the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots’ solely landing Saturday got here within the second quarter when Maye related with receiver DeMario Douglas for a 36-yard rating.
The Chargers’ protection pressured Maye all through the day, sacking him 4 instances and pressuring him on 11 of his 31 dropbacks (35%).
“Our staff performed certainly one of our greatest video games defensively,” Harbaugh mentioned.
The Chargers have been virtually excellent on offense, punting simply twice and scoring a season excessive in factors. Justin Herbert completed 26-for-38 with 281 passing yards and three touchdowns earlier than being pulled together with all of the starters early within the fourth quarter. Herbert additionally handed Peyton Manning for probably the most passing yards in a participant’s first 5 seasons within the NFL.
Herbert’s favourite goal Saturday was rookie Ladd McConkey, who caught eight passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. McConkey’s massive day helped him break the Chargers’ single-season rookie receptions and receiving yards data held by Keenan Allen.
It was the most effective video games of McConkey’s first yr, coming in opposition to the staff the Chargers traded up with to pick him within the draft with the thirty fourth choose. McConkey had extra receiving yards Saturday than the 2 receivers the Patriots chosen with the picks they obtained within the draft-day deal, Ja’Lynn Polk (87 yards) and Javon Baker (0).
“No further motivation, nothing like that,” McConkey mentioned. “When I obtained drafted, I used to be excited to get drafted. … I’m proper the place I’m alleged to be. So it is a cool second.”
Last season, the Chargers did not appear to be a staff a yr away from playoff rivalry, successful simply 5 video games and shedding a lot of their finest gamers. However, the staff anticipated a big turnaround as soon as it employed Harbaugh, who was most of the gamers’ first alternative for the job.
“It was guys praying and hoping for Jim to be our head coach,” linebacker Daiyan Henley mentioned of gamers’ mindsets in the course of the staff’s teaching search.
“We noticed Jim as a winner. Even although he was in school, he was a winner in school. We additionally knew his historical past with the 49ers. He’s a winner all over the place he is been, and we simply wished that mentality and right here he’s. And precisely what we thought he was is precisely who he’s.”
Aside from a loud embrace between Harbaugh and common supervisor Joe Hortiz, the celebrations have been considerably muted within the locker room. Multiple Chargers mentioned they have been trying ahead to getting the staff’s eleventh win subsequent week and making a deep playoff push.
“I’ve obtained to have an opportunity to win a Super Bowl, and that is what we’ll do now,” operating again J.K. Dobbins mentioned.
“We do not care what seed we is. We do not care the place we obtained to go,” James mentioned. “We know we need to end all our video games. Eleven wins sounds higher than 10 wins. And it do not matter what seed we is. We know for our final aim we gotta undergo everyone, so, man, we prepared.”
Saturday’s victory got here at a price for the Chargers, who misplaced vast receiver Joshua Palmer and security Elijah Molden to damage.
Palmer injured his heel and was in a strolling boot after the sport. Molden suffered a damaged leg when he collided with James late within the contest and can miss the rest of the season, a supply advised ESPN, confirming information first reported by Fox Sports.
Molden, who was carted off the sphere, took to Instagram to announce his season was over however did not element the damage.
“Grateful God positioned me right here in LA with this staff!” Molden’s publish says. “Most enjoyable I’ve ever had taking part in the sport since I used to be slightly child. Lot extra performs to be made sooner or later however finest consider that! 22 out Bolts headed to the playoffs.”
The Chargers will play the Las Vegas Raiders to complete their common season subsequent week. With a win over the Raiders and a Steelers loss, the Chargers can transfer as much as the No. 5 seed within the AFC.
