NFL scores, live updates: Chargers vs. Patriots opens Week 17 Saturday slate

Posted by Admin December 28, 2024 NFL

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The Los Angeles Chargers can take some of the suspense out of the AFC playoff picture on Saturday, taking on the New England Patriots. Jim Harbaugh’s bunch can sew up one of the two remaining spots on the AFC side of the playoff bracket with a win over the 3-12 Patriots, who’ve struggled in a rebuilding year in their first season post-Bill Belichick. The Chargers — who enter Week 17 at 9-6 — have lost three of their last five games and are trying to build some momentum for an eventual playoff run that would start on the road, with the Chiefs having won the AFC West. The Patriots have lost six of their last seven, but rookie quarterback Drake Maye has shown some promise, completing nearly 70% of his throws in that stretch.

Saturday’s second game has some playoff implications in the AFC as the 9-6 Denver Broncos head to Cincinnati to take on the 7-8 Bengals. Denver can wrap up a playoff berth with a win over the Bengals, who need a win to stay alive in the postseason hunt. The Bengals have won three in a row to stay in it behind one of the league’s most explosive offenses — Joe Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards and is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes — while Denver had its four-game win streak end last week against the Chargers.

In the NFC, the Rams can win the NFC West with a win over the Arizona Cardinals Saturday night, thanks to clinching a strength-of-victory tie-breaker over Seattle. The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention last week with a loss to the Panthers. The Rams are closing well, having won their last four games, but they’ve scored just 31 total points in wins over the 49ers and Jets over the past two weeks.

Week 17 NFL Saturday schedule

All games on NFL Network

Live18 updates

Sat, December 28, 2024 at 8:12 PM GMT+1

Drake Maye: Eighth straight game with at least 1 TD pass, setting a Patriots record for a rookie.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 28, 2024
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 8:11 PM GMT+1

Free play results in Patriots touchdown

Drake Maye found DeMario Douglas for a 36-yard touchdown. Patriots cut the Chargers’ lead to 17-7 as we approach halftime.
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 8:10 PM GMT+1

Justin Herbert sets NFL passing record

Herbert now has the most career passing yards in a player’s first five NFL seasons.

The four quarterbacks behind him now:

2. Peyton Manning 20,618
3. Jameis Winston 19,737
4. Dan Marino 19,422
5. Andrew Luck 19,078
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 8:06 PM GMT+1

Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez ruled out with concussion
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 7:56 PM GMT+1

Ladd McConkey scores 2nd TD in three weeks

Herbert finds McConkey in the back of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown. Chargers now lead 17-0.
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 7:54 PM GMT+1

Chargers recover fumble in Patriots’ territory

A bit of trickery failed by the Patriots as Drake Maye’s pitch to DeMario Douglas is fumbled and recovered by Derwin James of the Chargers.

The Patriots lead the NFL in fumbles with 29.
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 7:48 PM GMT+1

Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez questionable to return
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 7:45 PM GMT+1

Chargers settle for field goal, take 10-0 lead

Cameron Dicker, now 32-for-34 this season, hits a 27-yard field goal to extend the Chargers’ second quarter lead.
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 7:39 PM GMT+1

Drake Maye cleared to return

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche that Maye will re-enter the game after being cleared to return.
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 7:38 PM GMT+1

Drake Maye back on Patriots’ bench after being evaluated for a concussion

Drake Maye has returned to the Patriots’ bench area from the locker room. After sitting next to OC Alex Van Pelt, and then speaking with Jacoby Brissett and Hunter Henry, he is now pacing up and down the sideline.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 28, 2024
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 7:37 PM GMT+1

Chargers dominate 1st quarter time of possession

The Chargers, who can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a tie today, lead 7-0 after the first quarter.

They out-gained the Patriots in total yards 126-6 and had the ball for 11:33 of the opening 15 minutes.
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 7:30 PM GMT+1

QB Jacoby Brissett enters game for Patriots

Drake Maye is questionable to return.

More here.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 28: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots is down after a hit during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 7:26 PM GMT+1

Chargers take 7-0 lead in first quarter

Justin Herbert connected with wide receiver Derius Davis for a 23-yard touchdown to put the Chargers on the board first. The reception capped off an 11-play, 91-yard drive for LA.
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 7:25 PM GMT+1

Drake Maye questionable to return

Maye took a helmet-to-helmet from Chargers CB Cam Hart three snaps into the game and is now in the locker room to be further evaluated.

Maye suffered a concussion in Week 8 against the New York Jets.
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 7:16 PM GMT+1

Patriots QB Drake Maye to the medical tent

Patriots QB Drake Maye is heading into the blue tent. He took a helmet-to-helmet hit on third down and stayed down for a bit after the play.

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) December 28, 2024

Backup Jacoby Brissett is warming up on the sideline while Maye is examined.
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 7:12 PM GMT+1
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 6:54 PM GMT+1
Sat, December 28, 2024 at 6:00 PM GMT+1

Inactives for Chargers vs. Patriots

our inactives for #LACvsNE

QB Easton Stick (emergency 3rd QB)
RB Gus Edwards
LB Denzel Perryman
OL Jordan McFadden
OL Trey Pipkins III
TE Hayden Hurst
DL Justin Eboigbe

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 28, 2024