Chargers vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats Breakdown (Dec 28, 2024)

Quick Summary

• Final Score: Chargers 40, Patriots 7
• Date & Location: December 28, 2024, Gillette Stadium
• Key Performers: Justin Herbert (3 TDs, 0 INTs), Ladd McConkey (2 TDs)
• Playoff Impact: Chargers clinched playoff berth, Patriots fell to 3-12
• Standout Stat: Chargers never punted the entire game

The Chargers vs New England Patriots match player stats from December 28, 2024 revealed a playoff-clinching masterclass by Los Angeles at Gillette Stadium.

From my seat at the press box, the statistical dominance unfolding on the field was somehow even more impressive than what the final box score suggests.

Each number in this 40-7 blowout tells part of a larger story about which team was truly prepared for January football.

Game Snapshot: A One-Sided Affair at Gillette Stadium

The Chargers (8-6) arrived at Gillette Stadium with playoff implications hanging in the balance, while the Patriots (3-11) were playing for pride under first-year coach Jerod Mayo.

The statistical mismatch reported by USA Today Sports was evident from the opening drive:

• Final Score: Chargers 40, Patriots 7
• Total Yards: Chargers 428, Patriots 181
• Time of Possession: Chargers 40:34, Patriots 19:26
• First Downs: Chargers 29, Patriots 11

The time possession differential was staggering.

LA controlled the ball for over 40 minutes, leaving Patriots defenders gasping for air by the fourth quarter.

When one team holds the ball twice as long as their opponent, the scoreboard usually reflects it.

Game-Changing Moments That Statistics Don’t Capture

While the box score shows a dominant performance, three pivotal plays shaped the course of this AFC showdown:

1. Herbert’s Third Down Escape (Q1, 3:15 remaining)
On 3rd-and-7 from their own 28, Herbert evaded two Patriots pass rushers, stepped up in the pocket, and found McConkey for a 22-yard gain. This conversion extended what became a 12-play, 74-yard touchdown drive, setting the tone for the entire game.

2. James’ Strip Sack (Q2, 8:42 remaining)
With the Patriots driving into Chargers territory and trailing just 13-0, Derwin James Jr. came unblocked on a perfectly disguised safety blitz, blindsiding Maye for a 12-yard loss and forcing a fumble that James recovered himself. The turnover killed New England’s momentum and led to another Chargers scoring drive.

3. Dicker’s 41-yard FG (Q2, 0:08 remaining)
After the Patriots scored their only touchdown to make it 20-7 with 1:24 left in the half, Herbert engineered a quick 52-yard drive that culminated in Dicker’s 41-yard field goal. This perfectly executed two-minute drill pushed the lead back to 16 points and crushed any momentum New England had built.

Justin Herbert’s Masterclass Performance

Justin Herbert put on a quarterback clinic that Patriots fans won’t soon forget.

His complete stat line from Pro Football Reference showcases elite performance:

• 26/38 completions (68.4%)
• 281 passing yards
• 3 touchdowns
• 0 interceptions
• 116.2 passer rating
• 0 sacks taken

This wasn’t just good quarterback play—it was a perfect execution of Jim Harbaugh’s offensive gameplan.

Herbert connected with seven different receivers throughout the afternoon while never giving the Patriots defense a chance at a turnover.

The tactical brilliance came in his pre-snap adjustments, consistently identifying and exploiting mismatches in New England’s secondary. On his second touchdown throw to McConkey, Herbert recognized man coverage with no safety help over the top and placed a perfect ball where only his receiver could make a play.

Perhaps the most telling stat? Zero sacks against a desperate Patriots team that absolutely needed to generate pressure to have any chance.

For Chargers fans, this performance felt reminiscent of Herbert’s earlier season heroics against the Texans, where he similarly carved up the defense with surgical precision. Check out our complete Chargers vs Texans match player stats for more Herbert brilliance this season.

Rookie Sensation Ladd McConkey Steals the Show

The stat sheet showed a surprise name atop the Chargers receiving corps: rookie Ladd McConkey, who torched the Patriots secondary all afternoon.

His performance by the numbers:

• 8 receptions (on 10 targets)
• 94 receiving yards
• 2 touchdowns
• 40-yard long reception

McConkey’s route precision consistently created 3+ yards of separation against veteran defensive backs. His second touchdown, a perfectly timed corner route against man coverage, showcased the natural talent that has Patriots fans wondering why their team passed on him in the draft.

The chemistry between Herbert and McConkey suggests the Chargers have found their next star receiver. His ability to find soft spots in zone coverage and win contested catches points to a player performing well beyond his rookie status.

Patriots Rookie QB Drake Maye: Glimpses of Promise Amid Struggle

Despite the lopsided New England vs LA Chargers score, rookie quarterback Drake Maye showed flashes that Patriots fans can build hope around:

• 12/22 completions (54.5%)
• 117 passing yards
• 1 touchdown
• 0 interceptions
• 84.8 passer rating
• 32 rushing yards on 6 carries

The bright spot came in the second quarter: a perfectly placed 36-yard touchdown strike to Demario Douglas that extended Maye’s franchise rookie record to eight consecutive games with a touchdown pass.

The challenges, however, were substantial. Maye endured 4 sacks resulting in 30 lost yards and lost a crucial fumble when Derwin James Jr. came unblocked on a safety blitz. The film review shows Maye holding the ball an average of 3.1 seconds per dropback, significantly longer than Herbert’s quick-release approach.

This performance continues a troubling pattern for Patriots quarterbacks. In their Week 8 matchup against the Bills, we saw similar protection issues plague their offense. For a deeper look at that divisional rivalry game, see our analysis of the Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots match player stats.

These protection issues have become a recurring theme for New England, with their franchise quarterback taking punishment that could affect his development if not addressed in the offseason.

Ground Game Comparison: Balanced Chargers vs Limited Patriots

Breaking down the LA Chargers vs NE Patriots rushing numbers reveals another clear advantage for the visitors:

Chargers Ground Attack:

• J.K. Dobbins: 19 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD
• Hassan Haskins: 8 carries, 30 yards
• Kimani Vidal: 5 carries, 24 yards
• Total: 147 rushing yards on 35 attempts (4.2 avg)

Patriots Ground Game:

• Antonio Gibson: 12 carries, 63 yards (5.3 avg)
• Drake Maye: 6 carries, 32 yards
• Rhamondre Stevenson: 2 carries, 1 yard
• Total: 96 rushing yards on 20 attempts (4.8 avg)

The raw yardage totals don’t tell the complete story. Gibson actually posted an impressive 5.3 yards per carry, but game script forced New England to abandon the run when trailing by multiple scores early.

Jim Harbaugh’s offensive philosophy was on full display: establish the run with Dobbins, maintain it with complementary backs, and control game tempo. The Chargers ran 15 more rushing plays than New England, wearing down the Patriots front seven as the game progressed.

What made the Chargers’ running game particularly effective was their zone-blocking scheme. The offensive line consistently created cutback lanes for Dobbins, who showed excellent vision in finding and exploiting them. By the fourth quarter, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux appeared visibly fatigued after facing 35 rushing attempts.

Defensive Difference Makers: Pressure vs No Pressure

The defensive statistics in this Patriots Chargers matchup painted contrasting pictures of two units heading in opposite directions.

Chargers Defense Highlights:

• Derwin James Jr: 2.0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
• Tuli Tuipulotu: 1.0 sack
• Khalil Mack: 1.0 sack
• Kristian Fulton: 5 solo tackles
• Total team: 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery

Patriots Defense Lowlights:

• 0 sacks despite 38 Herbert pass attempts
• 0 turnovers forced
• Jahlani Tavai: 10 tackles (5 solo, 5 assisted)
• Kyle Dugger: 9 tackles (6 solo, 3 assisted)
• Marte Mapu: 7 tackles (6 solo, 1 assisted)

The CBS Sports game tracker revealed something particularly concerning for Patriots fans: secondary players recording the highest tackle totals. When safeties and cornerbacks lead your team in tackles, it typically signals one problem: offensive players consistently reaching the second and third levels of your defense.

Film study shows the Patriots attempted various blitz packages, particularly in the second quarter, but Herbert’s pre-snap recognition neutralized them before they developed. The Chargers’ ability to generate pressure with their front four allowed them to drop seven defenders into coverage, shrinking throwing windows for Maye.

The Stat That Says Everything: Chargers Never Punted

Within the LA Chargers New England Patriots Week 17 statistics lies perhaps the most remarkable number: zero punts for Los Angeles.

Throughout four full quarters of professional football, against an NFL defense at home, the Chargers never once faced a fourth down situation where punting made sense.

Every single offensive possession ended with:

• A touchdown
• A field goal
• The conclusion of a half

This extraordinary efficiency metric explains both the lopsided time of possession (40:34 to 19:26) and the final scoreline. It demonstrates perfect offensive game planning and execution by the Chargers coaching staff.

While the Patriots offense sputtered, converting just 2 of 10 third downs (20%), the Chargers converted 10 of 17 (58.8%), consistently extending drives and keeping their defense fresh. The cumulative effect wore down New England’s defense, evidenced by the Patriots allowing 5.6 yards per play in the first half and 6.8 yards per play in the second.

Special Teams: Dicker the Kicker’s Perfect Performance

While often overlooked in game analysis, special teams played a crucial role in this Los Angeles Chargers New England Patriots matchup.

Cameron Dicker delivered a flawless performance for the Chargers:

• 4/4 on field goals (28, 33, 38, 41 yards)
• 4/4 on extra points
• 16 total points scored personally

His 41-yard field goal just before halftime extended the Chargers lead to 23-7, effectively crushing any momentum the Patriots had built with their lone touchdown.

The return game statistics further illustrated team disparity:

Chargers Returns:

• Derius Davis: 3 kickoff returns for 54 yards (18.0 avg), 2 punt returns for 29 yards (14.5 avg)
• Stone Smart: 1 kickoff return for 16 yards

Patriots Returns:

• Marcus Jones: 2 kickoff returns for 17 yards (8.5 avg)
• Demario Douglas: 1 kickoff return for 6 yards

Field position battles often decide close games. This wasn’t close, but the return differential further tilted advantages toward LA throughout the afternoon.

Third Down Stats That Decided the Game

Third down conversion rate often reveals the true story behind any NFL scoreboard. The Fox Sports box score showed a massive disparity that dictated game flow:

• Chargers: 10/17 (58.8%)
• Patriots: 2/10 (20.0%)

When examining Chargers Patriots game stats, this efficiency gap jumps out as perhaps the most significant factor.

Converting nearly 60% of third downs allowed LA to sustain drives, control tempo, and keep their defense fresh. Meanwhile, New England’s offense repeatedly failed to extend possessions, creating a snowball effect that crushed their chances.

AFC Playoff Implications: What This Win Means

This Week 17 victory carried significant playoff ramifications for both franchises, particularly the Chargers.

For Los Angeles, this win officially secured their return to the playoffs after missing the postseason last year. The NFL.com postgame report confirmed the playoff berth, showcasing how Jim Harbaugh transformed this team in just his first season back in the NFL.

The manner of the victory matters too. The Chargers’ balanced offense (281 passing yards, 147 rushing yards) and defensive playmaking ability make them potentially dangerous wildcard opponents. With this level of execution, they could threaten higher-seeded teams like the Chiefs or Ravens in January.

For New England, their sixth consecutive loss, aptly described as being “discharged” by the playoff-bound Chargers in the Patriots’ own rapid recap, solidified their position near the bottom of the AFC standings.

The silver lining for Patriots fans? This loss improved their 2025 draft position, potentially landing them in the top five picks where they could select elite offensive line talent to protect Maye better next season. Their upcoming game against the Jets could further influence their draft standing in what has become a lost season.

The AFC playoff picture now features the Chargers as a team nobody wants to face. With Herbert playing at an elite level and a defense creating consistent pressure, they’ve transformed from early-season underachievers to legitimate January threats.

FAQs About the Chargers vs Patriots Week 17 Matchup

How did Justin Herbert manage zero sacks despite 38 pass attempts?

The game film shows three key factors working together: Herbert’s lightning-quick 2.3-second average release time, exceptional blitz recognition pre-snap, and the offensive line’s cohesive protection schemes. When pressure occasionally broke through, Herbert’s footwork in the pocket created throwing lanes without sacrificing downfield vision.

Where does Ladd McConkey rank among rookie receivers after this performance?

McConkey’s 8-catch, 94-yard, 2-touchdown performance solidifies him among the top rookie receivers this season. While several first-year wideouts have shown flashes, McConkey’s consistent production (particularly in high-leverage situations) and advanced route-running technique separate him from most of his draft class peers.

What playoff seeding implications came from this Chargers victory?

Beyond securing their playoff berth, this win positioned the Chargers for potential wild card weekend advantages. Their offensive balance (281 passing yards, 147 rushing yards) and defensive playmaking ability make them a particularly dangerous road team in January football.

Is Drake Maye’s development being hindered by New England’s offensive line issues?

The stats show concerning trends: Maye has now been sacked 31 times in his 10 starts. While some responsibility falls on the rookie for holding the ball too long (average 3.1-second time to throw), the film reveals consistent protection breakdowns, particularly on the right side. His development requires significant offensive line improvement before next season.

What tactical adjustments did the Patriots attempt against the Chargers offense?

The Patriots tried various defensive approaches, including increased blitz packages in the second quarter and more zone coverage after halftime. Neither strategy affected Herbert’s efficiency. When they blitzed, Herbert found hot reads quickly; when they played zone, he patiently found seams between defenders. Their inability to generate pressure with four rushers ultimately forced high-risk defensive calls that Herbert exploited.

Final Thoughts on a December Statement Victory

December football separates pretenders from contenders. This complete statistical domination by the Chargers in the Patriots matchup speaks volumes about their playoff readiness.

The game wasn’t just a win but a comprehensive display of execution across every phase. Herbert operated with surgical precision, the defense swarmed Maye with calculated pressure packages, and special teams consistently flipped field position.

For Patriots fans seeking silver linings, Maye’s touchdown streak provides hope, and Gibson’s running efficiency suggests potential for a more balanced offense next season with improved line play.

The Chargers, meanwhile, demonstrated why they’re a nightmare playoff matchup for even the AFC’s elite teams. Their statistical profile shows all the hallmarks of a dangerous January team: third-down excellence (58.8%), ball security (zero turnovers), and relentless defensive pressure (four sacks).

As NFL history consistently proves, these fundamental statistical categories translate from regular season success to playoff victories. Teams studying this Week 17 New England Patriots Los Angeles Chargers box score will recognize the formula for postseason success hasn’t changed, even as the league evolves around it.

The Chargers will look to maintain this momentum into the postseason while the Patriots must address their offensive line issues in the offseason to better protect their rookie quarterback investment. The statistical story of this December showdown couldn’t be clearer in forecasting both teams’ immediate futures.