New England took a massive step back in Week 17, and has now dropped to 3-13 on the year.

After a competitive effort in defeat last week, the New England Patriots fell 40-7 in an embarrassing effort to the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.

With Jerod Mayo and DeMarcus Covington’s defense unable to build off last week’s performance, the Chargers put up a season-high 40 points — led, of course, by Ladd McConkey, who posted 94 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Here’s everything that went down at Gillette Stadium.

Final Score: Patriots 7 : 40 Chargers

Saturday, December 28, 1:00 p.m. ET | Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA | Inactives | Game day roster | Broadcast information

First Quarter

The Patriots won the coin toss and deferred, putting Justin Herbert on the field first. LA’s first drive started inside their own 10-yard line after strong kick coverage and a holding penalty. After converting their first third-down, New England got off the field following a drop by Ladd McConkey on the next third-down.

Drake Maye started his day at his own 37-yard line and a short run and pass set up a 3rd-and-4, where pressure forced Maye to escape the pocket before stepping out of bounds for a two-yard sack — taking a hit to the helmet in the process.

Los Angeles’ next possession started backed up inside their 10 yet again after a strong punt from Bryce Baringer. The Chargers were able to pick up a pair of first downs to move across midfield where the offense stayed on the field on 4th-and-3. From the gun, Herbert found an open Quentin Johnston over the middle for 19 yards. One play later, Herbert found Derius Davis, who got by Alex Austin and Kyle Dugger, down the left sideline for a 23-yard touchdown. [Patriots 0 : 7 Chargers]

Injury update: QB Drake Maye (head) is questionable to return.

Jacoby Brissett entered the game at quarterback for the Patriots, who quickly went three-and-out after two shorts runs and an incompletion on third-down.

Second Quarter

Quickly back with the ball, the Chargers got on the move again picking up a pair of first downs before Herbert found McConkey for 19 yards down the sideline — where Christian Gonzalez went down making the tackle. Herbert then connected with Stone Smartt to move inside the red area. On third-down, Herbert’s pass was complete but short of the sticks after a tackle by Marte Mapu. Cameron Dicker’s field goal was then good. [Patriots 0 : 10 Chargers]

Injury update: CB Christian Gonzalez (head) is questionable to return.

Drake Maye retuned to the game after being medically cleared and immediately took off running — drawing a penalty in the process after taking another hit up high as he slid. A DPI then helped overcome an illegal use of hands penalty on Vederian Lowe before a failed backwards pass/pitch resulted in a fumble that the Chargers recovered.

Taking over at their own 45-yard line after the turnover, the Chargers continued to methodically move the football picking up three first downs to move just outside the five-yard line. Herbert then found Ladd McConkey for a touchdown to extend the lead. [Patriots 0 : 17 Chargers]

Injury update: CB Christian Gonzalez (concussion) has been downgraded to out.

Right before the two-minute warning, Maye hit Bourne over the middle on one of New England’s staple bow concepts for an 18-yard gain. Maye then picked up another first-down with his legs and then took advantage of a free play as Maye heaved one to the end zone where Pop Douglas was able to adjust to haul it in for a score. [Patriots 7 : 17 Chargers]

With 1:24 left in the half, Herbert found Joshua Palmer for 15 yards and used his legs to get near midfield. Staying out on 4th-and-3 just over midfield, a pass to Smartt picked up the first-down. A roughing the passer penalty on Yannick Ngakoue then moved LA to the 20 where Herbert’s next pass went out of the end zone with 11 seconds left. Dicker’s 38-yard field goal was then barely good over the left upright. [Patriots 7 : 20 Chargers]

A return from Gibson then ended the half.

Third Quarter

New England started the second half with the football and started by going backwards after a holding call on Hunter Henry. Facing 3rd-and-9, Maye was hit as he was thrown causing his pass to Bourne to fall incomplete.

After a 93-yard punt return touchdown was wiped out by a pair of penalties, the Chargers started their first possession of the second-half inside their 10. Keion White got home on second-down to force an incompletion but pressure did not impact Herbert on third-down as he found Johnston to move the chains. Herbert continued to march LA down the field before striking a 40-yard touchdown to McConkey. [Patriots 7 : 27 Chargers]

Two short runs and a short completion set up a 4th-and-2 for New England’s offense at their own 38-yard line, where Maye was sacked.

Taking over at the Patriots 23-yard line following the turnover on downs, Herbert missed an open McConkey for what would have been his third touchdown of the game. Good coverage from Isaiah Bolden forced an incompletion and led to a 41-yard field goal from Dicker. [Patriots 7 : 30 Chargers]

Completion to Austin Hooper and Pop Douglas picked up a pair of first downs for the Patriots. Once over midfield, two LA defenders quickly got home for a third-down sack before a pass to Boutte on 4th-and-12 drew a DPI to keep the drive alive. Quickly facing another 4th-and-7, Maye was sacked again.

Fourth Quarter

Taking over at their own 31-yard line, the chargers put the ball on the ground where J.K. Dobbins took a 13-yard run before drawing a horse collar tackle on Keion White for 15 more yards. Quickly inside the red area, five straight runs led to Dobbins finding pay dirt. [Patriots 7 : 37 Chargers]

New England’s next drive saw Pop Douglas pick up 19 yards on an option play, but an illegal man downfield penalty on Cole Strange brought it back. Two incompletions then led to a punt.

Taylor Heinicke replaced Justin Herbert under center with 10:54 remaining. LA picked up two first downs on the ground before a third-down pass from Heinicke fell incomplete. J.K. Scott then punted to New England.

Drake Maye stayed in the game with 6:17 left and threw two incompletions to Javon Baker and Ja’Lynn Polk. Staying on the field on 4th-and-6 inside their own 20, Maye connected with Hooper but the catch was short of the line to gain.

Regaining possession inside the red area, New England forced a field goal which Dicker knocked through from 35 yards. [Patriots 7 : 40 Chargers]

Jacoby Brissett reentered the game to start the next drive and the Patriots kept it on the ground with Antonio Gibson, who picked up a first-down before the two-minute warning. Gibson broke a 20-yard run on the other side before one last handoff ended the game.