4 moments that defined the Patriots’ 40-7 loss to the Chargers

The good and bad from the Patriots’ Week 17 game against the Chargers.

For a second straight year, the New England Patriots put forward an abysmal performance at home against the Los Angeles Chargers. After suffering a 6-0 loss in 2023, they were blown out 40-7 on Saturday.

There is nothing to sugar-coat: that was a bad game all around. With that said, here is a Patriots-centric view at the game’s defining moments.

Moment(s) No. 1: Drake Maye briefly leaves the game

Saturday could not have started in a worse possible fashion for the Patriots offense. Not only did the unit go three-and-out, it also saw quarterback Drake Maye stay on the ground after absorbing a head-to-head hit. He eventually got back up and jogged off the field, but headed to the blue medical tent and later the locker room.

However, despite being announced questionable to return, Maye eventually made his return in the early second period.

The Patriots ended up punting on his first drive back in the game. The mere fact that he was on the field after getting evaluated for a head injury was a definitive positive for the Patriots, though.

Moment No. 2: Another pitch gone wrong

For a second straight game, the Patriots were unable to execute a backwards pitch. Last week’s against the Buffalo Bills resulted in a defensive recovery for a touchdown. This one went only slightly better: the play did not result in a Chargers score, but it still allowed L.A. to take possession of the football in New England territory.

The Chargers ended up turning the fumble into a touchdown to go up 17-0.

Moment No. 3: DeMario Douglas pops up on a free play

The Patriots had all sorts of issues in the first half against the Chargers, but they also still had Drake Maye. And the rookie made sure to keep his team in the game even down 17 points.

In fact, Maye ended up completing all five of his pass attempts in the first half. Among those was a 36-yard touchdown to DeMario Douglas that saw him a) recognize he had a free play, and b) deliver an accurate pass to the sophomore wide receiver. The Patriots had a lackluster start against L.A. but their quarterback kept showing up.

Moment No. 4: Ladd McConkey calls game

The Patriots were in a position to select Ladd McConkey in the second round of this year’s draft, but instead decided to trade down with the Chargers. What came next is well-known: McConkey developed into the NFL’s most productive rookie wide receiver, while the Patriots’ pair — Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker — has been quiet all year.

On Saturday, McConkey found the end zone twice against the Patriots. His second score, a 40-yard connection with Justin Herbert, effectively put the game out of reach for New England — all while adding insult to injury.