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The Chargers’ Derius Davis (12) stretches to catch a touchdown pass past the Patriots’ safety Kyle Dugger. (Associated Press)
Derius Davis hadn’t reached his full stretch, hadn’t reeled in his second touchdown in as many games and hadn’t yet gotten the Chargers on the scoreboard. Still, J.K. Dobbins was ready to celebrate.
The Chargers running back threw both hands in the air once quarterback Justin Herbert threw the ball downfield and beat the referees at Gillette Stadium to the signal as Davis laid out for a flying touchdown catch.
Now, just like their running back, the Chargers don’t have to withhold their celebration.
The Chargers (10-6) safely clinched a berth to the postseason Saturday with a 40-7 win over the overwhelmed New England Patriots (3-13).
The Chargers have secured their third 10-win season in the last 15 seasons, but with an AFC West game remaining against the Las Vegas Raiders to finish the regular season, they’re not content with just returning to the postseason for the first time since 2022.
“Eleven is better than 10,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said.
Three things we learned from the victory:
J.K. Dobbins returns right in time
Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (27) falls into the end zone for a touchdown against the Patriots. (Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press)
J.K. Dobbins was a spectator on Davis’ touchdown in the first quarter, running a shallow route out of the backfield in case Herbert needed a check-down option, but the running back quickly made his mark after one month on injured reserve.
Dobbins rushed for 76 yards and one touchdown in 19 carries with one catch for seven yards while stepping up for the injured Gus Edwards (ankle). Despite missing four games because of a knee injury, Dobbins has set single-season career highs in scrimmage yards (983) and yards rushing (842) one year after suffering an Achilles injury.
The 25-year-old has fought back from two catastrophic injuries in three seasons to be a front-runner for NFL…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-takeaways-j-k-dobbins-041452974.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-12-29 04:14:00
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