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Around The NFL breaks down what you need to know from all of Saturday’s action in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season. Catch up on each game’s biggest takeaways using the links below:

Los Angeles Chargers 40, New England Patriots 7

BOX SCORE

Michael Baca’s takeaways:

1. Ladd, Derwin star in blowout win for playoff-bound Chargers. The Chargers put together an impressive team win to blow out New England and clinch a 2024 playoff berth on Saturday, but a pair of individual performances on both sides of the ball stood out. Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey excelled for a Bolts offense that scored on eight of its 10 total possessions, hauling in two touchdown receptions. The second-round pick weaved through defenders on a short-yardage route to nab a ball in traffic in the end zone on the first score and screamed up field to haul in a 40-yard dime from Justin Herbert to highlight Saturday’s rout in the third quarter. McConkey, who started the afternoon with a drop, finished with eight catches for 94 yards and two TDs to maintain a fantastic rookie campaign. Derwin James was just as impactful on defense, notching two sacks and a fumble recovery to lead a Chargers unit that was outright dominant. The veteran safety was especially tough when lined up at the line of scrimmage, and his threatening presence was key for defense that saw a confidence boost in Week 17.
2. Lack of support for Maye continues. Boos cascaded down Gillette Stadium late in the fourth quarter as New England headed toward its 13th loss of the season. Those jeers were warranted after the Patriots generated just 181 yards of total offense, 11 first downs and three turnovers on downs against the Chargers, but it wasn’t exactly the result of Drake Maye’s play. Maye, who exited briefly in the first quarter after sustaining a blow to the head on a scramble, was harassed all game to the tune of four sacks and a number of pressures against a blitz-happy opponent. His supporting cast didn’t help, with receivers dropping balls and a ground game producing just seven rushing yards through three quarters. Maye was the team’s leading rusher (32 yards) up until garbage time and the lack of any rushing attack made things easy for the Chargers. It also prevented Maye from flashing his strong arm, but the rookie did make a nice — albeit risky — throw on a 36-yard TD to Demario Douglas in the second frame. Maye finished 12-of-22 passing for 117 yards with a TD and zero interceptions, but his development continues to be complicated measure thanks to the team around him. 
3. Dobbins’ return sees slow start, strong finish. Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins returned to action following a four-game absence due to a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve. The veteran got off to a slow start, averaging just 3.2 yards off nine carries at halftime, but Dobbins found a groove in the second half, producing 47 yards (10 carries) and finding the end zone on a 2-yard push early in the fourth quarter. Dobbins, who added one catch for seven yards in his return, needed to knock off some rust but showed some giddy-up as the game went along. Getting their lead RB back into form will be essential for the Jim Harbaugh’s physical offense as they head into the postseason. That process started on Saturday, and it’s poised to improve with one more game to play before L.A. aims for its first playoff win since 2018.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Chargers-Patriots (via NFL Pro): Drake Maye faced a blitz on 32.3% of his dropbacks in Week 17, completing just 1 of 7 passes for 7 yards while taking 3 sacks (-42.8% CPOE). When not blitzed, Maye completed 11 of 15 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown (+13.6% CPOE). Maye has completed just 54.8% of his passes against the blitz this season, the second-lowest in the NFL and only higher than Anthony Richardson (39.7%).

NFL Research: Ladd McConkey, who passed Keenan Allen for the most receptions in a rookie season in Chargers history, tied Odell Beckham for the most consecutive games with 50-plus reception yards in a rookie campaign in the last NFL 20 seasons.