Chargers thrash Patriots to book NFL play-off spot

The Los Angeles Chargers booked their spot successful the NFL play-offs with a ascendant 40-7 triumph astatine the New England Patriots.

Justin Herbert threw for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns to assistance the Chargers gain a wildcard spot successful John Harbaugh's archetypal play arsenic caput coach.

The Patriots were booed disconnected the tract by the location fans aft the crippled finished.

The Denver Broncos failed to clinch the last AFC play-off spot arsenic they mislaid 30-24 to the Cincinnati Bengals successful overtime.

Joe Burrow, who threw for 412 yards and 3 touchdowns, recovered Tee Higgins successful the last 2 minutes of the other play to seal a 4th consecutive triumph and support the Bengals' play-off hopes alive.

The Bengals request to triumph their last crippled against AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers and besides anticipation different results spell successful their favour.

The Broncos needed to clasp connected for a necktie to clinch a play-off spot and indispensable present bushed the Kansas City Chiefs - already confirmed arsenic the apical effect successful the AFC with 15 wins successful 16 games - to marque the play-offs for the archetypal clip successful 9 years.

Also connected Saturday, the Los Angeles Rams closed successful connected the NFC West rubric with a 13-9 triumph astatine location to the Arizona Cardinals.

Kyren Williams made the Rams' lone touchdown of the contention portion Joshua Karty added 2 tract goals earlier Ahkello Witherspoon's interception successful the endzone with 37 seconds remaining sealed victory.

The triumph lifts the Rams to 10 wins from their 16 games - 1 wide of the Seattle Seahawks earlier their gathering successful the last circular of matches adjacent week.

Only a decision and respective different results going against them would outgo the Rams.