The Los Angeles Chargers notched a rare win for the franchise in Foxborough, Mass., last season. Another one Saturday will clinch a playoff berth.
The Chargers blanked a lowly New England squad 6-0 in December 2023 to move to 2-12 all-time in Foxborough, including the postseason.
The previous victory came in 2005 when the franchise was located in San Diego. Drew Brees was the team’s quarterback and LaDainian Tomlinson was the NFL’s best running back.
In other words, wins in Foxborough have been tough to come by for the Chargers.
All of that is ancient history to first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, who’s expected the Chargers (9-6) to win at least 10 games this season.
“We’ve still got games to win,” Harbaugh told reporters. “Nine wins can get you in the playoffs but you need help. Ten wins, most years, can and this year I think it would. Eleven usually gets you in.”
Los Angeles currently fits in as the sixth seed in the AFC after beating the Broncos 34-27 on Dec. 19 to sweep this season’s two-game series with Denver. After the Patriots, the Chargers close the regular season at the Las Vegas Raiders.
Quarterback Justin Herbert has 18 touchdown passes against three interceptions, though two of the picks have come in the past two games.
New England tight end Hunter Henry, who played alongside then-rookie Herbert in 2020 for the Chargers, is not surprised at Herbert’s season-long efficiency.
“He was killing it his rookie year, but just the growth that he’s continued to have,” Henry said. “He has all the tools, strong arm and makes every throw. He’s mobile, he can extend plays, he can run. He just presents a lot of challenges for defense. He’s a special, special player.”
The Patriots (3-12) have lost five straight games while breaking in rookie quarterback Drake Maye (14 touchdowns, 10 interceptions).
Maye has thrown a touchdown pass in seven straight games to tie Jim Plunkett (1971) for the longest streak by a rookie in franchise history. He has completed 67.6 percent of his passes, just behind the rookie record set by Dak Prescott (67.8) of the Dallas Cowboys in 2016.
But Maye also has thrown an interception in seven straight games as he learns on the fly.
“Drake is a competitor, and he’s always going to try to go out there and make plays,” New England coach Jerod Mayo said. “I think just the way that he’s played, how well he’s played this year, oftentimes we forget that he’s a rookie quarterback. Those are lessons learned.
“I’ve been very upfront about this — the intangible with Drake, besides his even demeanor, is he’s learned from his mistakes, and I expect that to continue going forward.”
Regardless of the opposing quarterback’s experience, the Chargers are not taking anything for granted.
“It’s a playoff game, no different than the last one, man,” star pass rusher Khalil Mack said. “By any means necessary. We got to do everything we can to win the game.”
Neither team held a practice on Christmas Day and released estimated participation projections.
The Chargers could have running back J.K. Dobbins (knee) back after opening his 21-day practice window on Monday and seeing him be a limited participant the next two days. He has missed the past four games.
Fellow running back Gus Edwards (ankle) also was limited the past two days. Chargers who sat out Wednesday were punter JK Scott (illness), offensive lineman Trey Pipkins III (hip) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin).
Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (ankle/quadriceps) hasn’t practiced yet this week. Cornerback Marcus Jones (hip) and center Ben Brown (concussion) also sat out the past two days.
