chargers vs new england patriots match player stats
Two games. Two completely different stories. The chargers vs new england patriots match player stats from December 28, 2024 showed one team on the rise and one buried at the bottom of the AFC East. Then came January 11, 2026 — and everything flipped. Drake Maye walked into his first career playoff game, New England’s defense dismantled one of the AFC’s most dangerous quarterbacks, and the Patriots ended the Chargers’ season at Gillette Stadium. Every number from both matchups is broken down right here.
What Was the Final Score of the Chargers vs Patriots Week 17 Game in 2024?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the New England Patriots 40-7 on December 28, 2024, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. It was the kind of dominant performance that secured a playoff spot for the Chargers while simultaneously confirming that New England’s 2024 season was a full rebuild year under rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
The game was never competitive after halftime. Los Angeles led 20-7 going into the locker room and kept the foot on the gas all the way through the fourth quarter. Justin Herbert played within himself, moved the ball with precision, and let the defense do the rest.
The chargers vs new england patriots match player stats from this game told a story of a Chargers offense that had found its rhythm at exactly the right point in the season — and a Patriots team giving reps to its future.
How Did Justin Herbert Perform Against the Patriots in the Week 17 Game?
Justin Herbert was sharp and efficient from the first snap. He completed 26 of 38 passes for 281 yards, threw three touchdowns, and posted a 116.2 passer rating — his season-best mark for touchdowns in a single game.
Herbert spread the ball effectively to five different receivers and made smart decisions in the pocket throughout all four quarters. He added 12 rushing yards on three carries and never forced a throw into coverage all game. The Patriots simply had no answer for the timing and precision Los Angeles brought to every series.
Justin Herbert — Week 17, December 28, 2024
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| Completions / Attempts | 26 / 38 |
| Completion % | 68.4% |
| Passing Yards | 281 |
| Passing TDs | 3 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 116.2 |
| Rushing Yards | 12 |
Who Were the Top Receivers for the Chargers Against New England in Week 17?
Ladd McConkey was the standout receiver in this chargers vs new england patriots match player stats game. The rookie caught 8 passes on 10 targets for 94 yards and two touchdowns — a 6-yarder in the second quarter and a 40-yard score in the third that put the game out of reach. His speed, route discipline, and hands made him impossible to stop for New England’s defense.
Quentin Johnson added 48 yards on five catches. Joshua Palmer contributed 41 yards on four receptions. Derius Davis found the end zone on a 29-yard catch as well. Herbert’s distribution across multiple weapons is what made the offense so difficult to contain.
Chargers Receiving Stats — Week 17 vs Patriots
| Player | Rec | Targets | Yards | Avg | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladd McConkey | 8 | 10 | 94 | 11.8 | 2 |
| Quentin Johnson | 5 | — | 48 | 9.6 | 0 |
| Joshua Palmer | 4 | — | 41 | 10.3 | 0 |
| Derius Davis | 2 | — | 29 | 14.5 | 1 |
| Stone Smartt | 2 | — | 23 | 11.5 | 0 |
| Will Dissly | 2 | — | 21 | 10.5 | 0 |
| JK Dobbins | 1 | — | 7 | 7.0 | 0 |
| Hassan Haskins | 1 | — | 10 | 10.0 | 0 |
What Did JK Dobbins Do in the Chargers Run Game vs New England?
JK Dobbins gave Los Angeles a steady ground presence that kept New England’s linebackers honest throughout. He carried 19 times for 76 yards and a 2-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter — his patient style, finding cutback lanes and refusing to go down on first contact, kept chains moving on multiple key drives.
Antonio Gibson added 12 carries for 63 yards at a 5.3-yard average from the backup role.
Chargers Rushing Stats — Week 17 vs Patriots
| Player | Carries | Yards | Avg | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JK Dobbins | 19 | 76 | 4.0 | 1 |
| Antonio Gibson | 12 | 63 | 5.3 | 0 |
| Kimani Vidal | 5 | 24 | 4.8 | 0 |
| Justin Herbert | 3 | 12 | 4.0 | 0 |
How Did Drake Maye Handle the Regular Season Game Against Los Angeles?
Drake Maye managed the game within his means. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 117 yards, one touchdown to DeMario Douglas on a 36-yard strike, and zero interceptions. His 84.8 passer rating was respectable for a rookie in a losing effort against a defense that outmatched his supporting cast.
The chargers vs new england patriots match player stats from that day showed a young quarterback avoiding costly errors — the exact trait that would define his growth all the way through the 2026 playoffs.
What Happened When the Chargers and Patriots Met in the 2026 Wild Card?
The January 11, 2026 AFC Wild Card at Gillette Stadium was a complete reversal. New England beat Los Angeles 16-3 in a game controlled by the Patriots defense from the opening whistle to the final snap.
New England had not won a postseason game since their Super Bowl victory capping the 2018 season. The crowd at Gillette Stadium — hosting its first home playoff game since January 2020 — brought an energy that matched every big defensive stop. The chargers vs new england patriots match player stats for the playoff game tell a story of a team that showed up completely prepared and delivered.
New England held the Chargers to just 207 total yards and sacked Herbert six times. That defensive performance is the single most important stat in the entire Wild Card story.
How Did Drake Maye Play in His First Career Playoff Game?
Drake Maye won. That is the headline — and the numbers back it up completely. He completed 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards and one touchdown, a perfect 28-yard strike to tight end Hunter Henry with 9:39 remaining that put the game away at 16-3.
He rushed for a team-high 66 yards, making plays with his legs every time the Chargers brought pressure. Two turnovers — a deflected interception and a fumble — did not cost points because the defense held on both occasions. Going 7-for-8 for 105 yards against Los Angeles’ base defense, Maye showed the kind of composure that takes most quarterbacks years to build.
Drake Maye — Wild Card Game, January 11, 2026
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| Completions / Attempts | 17 / 29 |
| Completion % | 58.6% |
| Passing Yards | 268 |
| Passing TDs | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Fumbles Lost | 1 |
| Rushing Yards | 66 (team-high) |
How Did Justin Herbert Struggle in the Wild Card Loss?
This was not the game Herbert or the Chargers drew up. He finished 19-for-31 for just 159 passing yards — and did not eclipse 100 yards in the air until six minutes remained. New England sacked him six times, with K’Lavon Chaisson forcing the decisive fumble in the fourth quarter that led directly to New England’s only touchdown.
Herbert was also his own team’s leading rusher with 57 yards — a telling detail that shows how thoroughly the Patriots’ coverage locked down every Chargers receiver all game long.
Side-by-Side: Justin Herbert vs New England
| Stat | Week 17, Dec 28 2024 | Wild Card, Jan 11 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Completions / Attempts | 26 / 38 | 19 / 31 |
| Passing Yards | 281 | 159 |
| Touchdowns | 3 | 0 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 0 |
| Sacks Taken | Low | 6 |
| Team’s Leading Rusher? | No | Yes (57 yds) |
| Result | Win 40-7 | Loss 16-3 |
Who Were the Key Defensive Players for New England in the Wild Card?
New England’s defense was the difference-maker. K’Lavon Chaisson stripped the ball from Herbert in the fourth quarter, Christian Elliss recovered it, and the Patriots immediately drove for the game’s only touchdown. Robert Spillane, back from injury, stopped a goal-line stand in the first quarter that kept the game scoreless. The Patriots’ secondary locked down Chargers receivers in consistent man coverage, giving the pass rush time to get home on every rep.
The New England defense had ranked 31st in red-zone defense during the regular season and still managed to keep Los Angeles completely off the scoreboard in the end zone all game. That is one of the most striking stats in the full chargers vs new england patriots match player stats story from 2026.
What Was Rhamondre Stevenson’s Role in New England’s Playoff Win?
Rhamondre Stevenson led all Patriots players with 128 scrimmage yards — 53 rushing and 75 receiving. His 48-yard catch-and-run check-down was the biggest single offensive play of the game, turning a routine safety valve into a massive field position gain after a Maye fumble had threatened to stall the drive.
Stevenson also converted multiple third-and-short situations with tough inside runs, giving Maye manageable situations on the next series. TreVeyon Henderson made the crucial pass-protection block on the Hunter Henry touchdown play that gave Maye the extra second he needed to deliver the throw cleanly.
Patriots Key Offensive Stats — Wild Card vs Chargers
| Player | Position | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Drake Maye | QB | 268 pass yds, 1 TD, 66 rush yds |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | RB | 128 total yds (53 rush, 75 rec) |
| Hunter Henry | TE | 28-yd TD catch, 19-yd 3rd down |
| TreVeyon Henderson | RB | Key pass block on TD play |
| Andy Borregales | K | 3 FGs (23, 35, 39 yards) |
Full Head-to-Head Summary: Both Games Combined
| Category | Week 17 (Dec 28, 2024) | Wild Card (Jan 11, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | LAC 40 — NE 7 | NE 16 — LAC 3 |
| Venue | Gillette Stadium | Gillette Stadium |
| Herbert Passing Yards | 281 | 159 |
| Herbert TDs | 3 | 0 |
| Maye Passing Yards | 117 | 268 |
| Maye TDs | 1 | 1 |
| LAC Total Offense | ~350 yds | 207 yds |
| LAC Sacks Taken | Low | 6 |
| Top LAC Performer | Ladd McConkey (8 rec, 94 yds, 2 TD) | Herbert (only consistent threat) |
| Top NE Performer | DeMario Douglas (TD catch) | Drake Maye (268 yds, 66 rush, W) |
| Turning Point | Halftime — LAC led 20-7 | 6th sack, Herbert fumble recovery |
6 Most-Asked Questions About Chargers vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats
1. What was the score of the Chargers vs Patriots Week 17 2024 game?
The Chargers dominated all four quarters at Gillette Stadium. Herbert threw three touchdowns, Ladd McConkey set a Chargers rookie receiving record with two scores, and the defense held New England to just 181 total yards. The win locked in Los Angeles’ playoff berth. When these two teams faced off again in January 2026, New England’s use of the game to give Drake Maye experience paid off.
2 . In both games, how did Justin Herbert perform against New England?
The contrast between his two chargers vs new england patriots match player stats lines is one of the sharpest in this rivalry’s recent history. Regular season Herbert was clean, efficient, and untouched. Playoff Herbert faced a defensive game plan built entirely around making him hold the ball — and it worked. Six sacks, tight coverage on every receiver, and one fumble strip that ended the Chargers’ season.
3. What were Drake Maye’s stats in the 2026 Wild Card win over the Chargers?
Maye made two turnovers that never hurt because his defense kept the Chargers off the board. His 28-yard touchdown to Hunter Henry in the fourth quarter was the cleanest throw of his young career — a confident release against an experienced defense in a one-score game. He proved he belongs in January football, and New England’s run to Super Bowl LX confirmed it.
4. Who was the top performer for the Chargers in the Week 17 win?
McConkey’s performance against New England was the breakout moment of his first NFL season. His 40-yard touchdown in the third quarter on a perfectly placed deep ball from Herbert showed the world what the Chargers saw when they traded up to draft him. Derwin James Jr. added two sacks on defense — a career-high performance that made the shutout of New England’s offense a complete team effort.
5. How many sacks did New England record in the Wild Card game vs the Chargers?
K’Lavon Chaisson’s fourth-quarter fumble force was the signature play of the entire chargers vs new england patriots match player stats playoff story. Christian Elliss recovered, the Patriots drove down the field, and Maye hit Hunter Henry for 28 yards and the game’s only touchdown. New England’s defense also made a critical goal-line stand early in the game when Robert Spillane came free with unblocked pressure to stop a potential Chargers scoring drive.
6. What was Rhamondre Stevenson’s performance in the 2026 Wild Card game?
Stevenson’s 48-yard reception turned a routine check-down into the play that broke the Chargers’ back defensively. It moved New England far down the field after a Maye fumble had threatened the momentum. He also ran with purpose on multiple short-yardage conversions and gave Maye a consistent outlet throughout the game. Stevenson had finished the regular season with 603 rushing yards and seven touchdowns — and carried that late-season form directly into the postseason.
The Bottom Line: What These Stats Reveal About Both Teams
Player statistics from the Chargers vs. New England Patriots encounter reveal two teams at entirely different stages of their histories. Los Angeles won the regular season matchup by 33 points. New England won the one that actually mattered — the January playoff game at home — by 13.
Both outcomes make sense. The Chargers had the superior roster in December 2024. The Patriots had the superior preparation in January 2026. Herbert is still one of the best quarterbacks in the AFC when his offensive line protects him. Maye is becoming exactly the franchise cornerstone New England needs heading into the next decade.
Every time these two teams line up against each other, those two games carry weight. Track both rosters at NFL.com, follow updated stats at Pro Football Reference, and check CBS Sports for the latest injury reports ahead of their next meeting. The next chapter of this rivalry is being written right now — and based on what both sides showed in 2024 and 2026, it will be worth following closely.
Share this breakdown with a Patriots or Chargers fan and drop your take — which game better defines where this rivalry actually stands?
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