Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Chargers clinched their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the Patriots on Saturday.

The win also secured the fourth postseason appearance in Jim Harbaugh’s five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his stint with the San Francisco 49ers.

Herbert finished 26 of 38 for 281 yards to become the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.

Ladd McConkey had eight catches for 94 yards and pulled in TD throws of 6 and 40 yards. With a 10-yard reception in the second quarter he passed 1,000 yards receiving for the season, making him the third Chargers rookie receiver to reach that milestone.

JK Dobbins rushed 19 times for 76 yards and a TD.

New England quarterback Drake Maye finished 12 of 22 for 117 yards and a touchdown. He became the first rookie quarterback in franchise history with a TD pass in eight straight games. But he was sacked four times, and a second-quarter fumble marked his eighth straight game with at least one turnover.

Bengals 30, Broncos 24, OT >> Joe Burrow threw his third touchdown pass to Tee Higgins with 1:07 left in overtime, and Cincinnati (8-8) kept its slim playoff hopes alive with a wild win the Broncos.

Following a Broncos punt, Burrow completed a 31-yard pass to Higgins to the Denver 3, then went back to the lanky receiver for the game-ending play. Higgins finished with 11 receptions for 131 yards.

Cade York had a chance to win it for the Bengals with about three minutes left in overtime, but his 33-yard field goal bounced off the left upright.

It was the Bengals’ first win this season against a team with a winning record. They need another victory in their final game at Pittsburgh and some help from other teams to make it to the postseason for the first time since 2022.

The Broncos (9-7) would have secured an AFC wild card with a victory. They’ll have another opportunity to earn a postseason berth when they host Kansas City next weekend.

Hall of Fame finalists >> Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs and prolific tight end Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The other 15 modern-era finalists who advanced from a group of 25 to the final stage of voting: CB Eric Allen; DE Jared Allen; OT Willie Anderson; OG Jahri Evans; WR Torry Holt; WR Steve Smith Sr.; RB Fred Taylor; K Adam Vinatier; WR Reggie Wayne; S Darren Woodson; and OL Marshal Yanda.

Five others also are under consideration for enshrinement, with Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer finalists in the seniors category, Mike Holmgren in the coaches category and Ralph Hay as a contributor. Between one and three of those nominees will also get inducted into the Hall.

The selection committee will vote next month to pick the class of between three and five modern-era players that will be announced the week of the Super Bowl.

Extra points >> Chuba Hubbard’s season is over as the Panthers placed their leading rusher on injured reserve with a strained calf. Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards — the fourth-most in franchise history — and 10 TDs this season. He is sixth in the league in yards rushing. He becomes the third Panthers running back to be placed on IR this season, joining Miles Sanders and rookie Jonathan Brooks.

• Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa was downgraded to doubtful for today’s game against the Browns due to a hip injury. If Tagovailoa is ruled out, Tyler Huntley will start.

• Quarterback Anthony Richardson has been ruled out for the Colts’ big game at the New York Giants today because of back and foot injuries. Richardson’s absence likely means Joe Flacco will start against New York.

• Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaquil Barrett is rejoining the Buccaneers. The Bucs signed the two-time Super Bowl champion who abruptly announced his retirement before the start of Dolphins training camp in July. He decided to unretire last month.

• Jalen Hurts is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol, forcing the Eagles to play against the Cowboys without their star quarterback. The Eagles will turn to backup Kenny Pickett today.