Justin Herbert and Chargers secure AFC's No. 5 seed with 34-20 win over Raiders

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said he could tell from the noise his teammates made from neighboring meeting rooms on Saturday “that good things were happening.”

Los Angeles needed the Steelers to lose to the Bengals that night to have a shot at the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs. Cincinnati did its part by beating Pittsburgh, which provided the Chargers with a big opportunity Sunday.

They had some early red-zone troubles, but behind Herbert's 346 yards passing and two touchdowns, the Chargers secured that No. 5 seed with a 34-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Chargers (11-6) closed the regular season with a three-game winning streak under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh and will visit the fourth-seeded Houston Texans (10-7) on Saturday.

Had they lost, they would have faced Baltimore in the latest edition of the Harbaugh Bowl. John Harbaugh coaches the Ravens and has never lost to his younger brother.

“I'm very proud of the way the team played, starting with the quarterback,” Jim Harbaugh said. “I'm not going to say unbelievable because I believe it and I see it every day. But there were throws that he was making ... that were like handoffs. They were right where you would put it if you were handing the ball off on a running play. Just incredible game by him.”

Las Vegas, which had won back-to-back games, finished 4-13 with coach Antonio Pierce on the hot seat. Pierce twice said “no comment” when asked about his future.

This was the Chargers' first victory at Las Vegas since 2020 and their first season sweep of their AFC West rival since 2018. That also was the last time the Chargers won at least 11 games.

Herbert showed off his arm and legs, taking off for a 41-yard run in the third quarter to set up a 2-yard touchdown pass to Will Dissly for a 27-13 lead.

His top target was Quentin Johnston, the second-year pro who set career highs with 13 receptions for 186 yards. Johnston had been criticized for dropping a key pass in a 30-23 loss to the Ravens on Nov. 25.

“He's playing the right football at the right time,” Herbert said. “He's confident. He's having fun. You can tell. He's feeling it, and whenever he's doing that, you've got to get him the ball no matter how it is.”

Ladd McConkey caught five passes for 95 yards, his 10th consecutive game with at least 50 yards to break the rookie record that Odell Beckham Jr. set in 2014. His 82 receptions for 1,149 yards are Chargers rookie records.

J.K. Dobbins rushed for 63 yards to finish with 905 on the season.

Aidan O'Connell passed for 214 yards and two touchdowns for the Raiders, and Jakobi Meyers caught nine passes for 123 yards and a TD. Meyers topped 1,000 yards for the first time in his six-year career, becoming the 11th undrafted free agent to accomplish that.

Brock Bowers had four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown to finish the season with 1,194 yards, falling just short of becoming the ninth tight end with 1,200 in a season.

The Chargers outgained the Raiders 473 yards to 264, but failed to score touchdowns on three of their first four trips to the red zone to keep the game close. Las Vegas led most of the first half and appeared set to take a 10-9 lead into halftime.

But O'Connell's dump-off pass to running back Alexander Mattison was intercepted by Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley to give Los Angeles possession at the Raiders 30-yard line. That set up Herbert's 6-yard TD pass to DJ Chark and 2-point pass to McConkey for a 17-10 lead with 10 seconds left.

The Chargers never trailed again.

“When we got that pick, it sent a surge of energy because it was a little down going into that drive,” Henley said. “And then you see Justin Herbert, what he does when that ball is in his hands.”

This was quite a different feeling for the Chargers the last time they were at Allegiant Stadium. Las Vegas had its way with a 63-21 victory that led to the firings of coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco the next day.

Now LA is preparing for the playoffs while the Raiders — where Telesco is now GM — get ready for an offseason of major questions, beginning with whether Pierce is given another shot.

“I really like AP as a coach,” Bowers said. “We'll see what happens. It's up to certain people and not us. But I really liked playing for him and I thought he was a great coach.”

Chargers: RB Gus Edwards (ankle) and WR Josh Palmer (foot) did not play, and T Rashawn Slater (knee) was scratched after what was described by the team as discomfort in pregame stretches. G Trey Pipkins (oblique) left early in the third quarter.

Raiders: RB Ameer Abdullah (foot) and CB Nate Hobbs (illness) did not play.

Chargers: At AFC South champion Houston on Saturday. This is their first playoff appearance since 2022 and second since 2018.

Raiders: In addition to Pierce, they must decide whether to stick with O'Connell or make a change at quarterback.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, middle left, is congratulated by tight end Brock Bowers after scoring against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, left, walks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (9) celebrates after scoring against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (20) during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Los Angeles Chargers place kicker Cameron Dicker (11) celebrates with teammates after kicking a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) is congratulated by Scott Matlock (44) after scoring on a two point conversion during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) celebrates with head coach Jim Harbaugh during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) runs against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the second half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

DETROIT (AP) — Cade Cunningham had 32 points and nine assists as the Detroit Pistons reached .500 for the first time after New Year’s Day since 2019 with a 118-115 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.

Tim Hardaway Jr. added 26 points for Detroit and Jalen Duren had 14 points and 12 rebounds. The Pistons (18-18), who were 3-33 after 36 games a season ago, have won seven of eight.

Anfernee Simons had 36 points and nine assists for Portland, while Shaedon Sharpe had 20 points, eight assists and eight rebounds. The Trail Blazers led by 22 points in the first half.

SUNS 109, 76ERS 99

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bradley Beal came off the bench for the first time in nine years and scored 25 points as Phoenix ended a four-game skid with a win over Philadelphia.

Beal was shifted to a reserve role before the game and scored 20 points in the second half as the Suns overcame an early 12-point deficit and won for the second time in nine games.

Kevin Durant scored 23 points and Ryan Dunn 15 for the Suns.

Tyrese Maxey had 31 points and 10 assists for the Sixers, who were missing Joel Embiid, who was sidelined with a left foot sprain. Kelly Oubre added 26 points as Philadelphia lost for the third time in four games.

PACERS 113, NETS 99

NEW YORK (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton scored 23 points, Bennedict Mathurin added 20 and Indiana beat Brooklyn.

Pascal Siakam contributed 19 points and Obi Toppin scored 11 for the Pacers, who have won three straight and nine of 12.

Day’Ron Sharpe had 16 points and 13 rebounds, Tyrese Martin added 15 points and Noah Clowney scored 14 for the Nets, who have lost 10 of 13.

Indiana led by 24 points in the third quarter before the Nets went on a 12-0 run over the last 4:30 of the period to trim the deficit to 78-70.

Brooklyn fell behind by 14 early in the fourth quarter and got within 10 before the Pacers responded with a 14-2 spurt, capped by a dunk and a 3-pointer from Toppin that increased the lead to 105-83 with 4:33 left.

MAGIC 103, KNICKS 94

NEW YORK (AP) — Cole Anthony scored 24 points, Wendell Carter Jr. had a season-high 19 off the bench and Orlando shut down a New York team missing Karl-Anthony Towns for a victory.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 15 points for the Magic, who are missing their top four scorers because of injuries but didn’t need too much offense the way they defended. They limited the Knicks to 4-for-22 shooting from 3-point range and didn’t allow a make in the second half until Cam Payne’s basket with 8.2 seconds remaining.

Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges each scored 24 points for the Knicks, who were held to their lowest point total of the season in their season-high third straight loss. Towns, averaging 25.3 points and an NBA-leading 14 rebounds, sat with right knee pain.

BUCKS 128, RAPTORS 104

TORONTO (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 11 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds for his fourth triple-double of the season, Damian Lillard scored 25 points and Milwaukee beat struggling Toronto.

Bobby Portis scored 20 points, Gary Trent Jr. had 17 against his former team and Brook Lopez added 16 for Milwaukee.

The Bucks outscored the Raptors 63-24 in bench points and handed Toronto its 13th loss in 14 games.

Lillard scored 15 points in the third, making all five of his field goal attempts.

Milwaukee came in having lost two straight and four of five, all to teams with losing records. But the Bucks had no trouble handling the Raptors. The Bucks’ biggest lead was 33 points, 113-80, after a Lopez 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.

BULLS 114, SPURS 110

CHICAGO (AP) — Coby White made a go-ahead layup with 47 seconds left, and Chicago topped Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio.

Zach LaVine had 35 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for Chicago, which trailed by 19 before rallying in the fourth quarter. Nikola Vucevic had 24 points and 11 boards, and White finished with 23 points.

After White’s layup gave the Bulls their first lead at 111-110, Devin Vassell threw away the ball for San Antonio. White then drove into the lane and dunked over a late-arriving Wembanyama, delighting the crowd of 18,886 at the United Center.

Wembanyama had 23 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks for San Antonio, which carried a 95-82 lead into the final period. Chris Paul added 18 points and nine assists in the opener of a four-game trip.

GRIZZLIES 119, MAVERICKS 104

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. had 35 points, 13 rebounds and five assists to lead Memphis to a victory over Dallas.

Scotty Pippen Jr. finished with 18 points, while Jaylen Wells added 17 points and 11 rebounds as Memphis won for the 10th time in the last 11 home games.

P.J. Washington led the Mavericks with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Naji Marshall finished with 16 points, while Klay Thompson and Jaden Hardy added 15 points each. Dallas has lost five straight.

The Mavericks already were without leading scorer Luka Doncic with a left calf strain, and earlier Monday, Dallas announced that backcourt mate Kyrie Irving will miss time with a bulging disk in his back. That meant both teams were without their starting backcourts as injuries kept Ja Morant and Desmond Bane out for the Grizzlies.

TIMBERWOLVES 108, CLIPPERS 106

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 28 of his 37 points in the second half and Minnesota overcame a 19-point first-half deficit to beat Los Angeles.

Edwards, who had a career-high 53 points in Saturday’s loss at Detroit, finished 14 of 29 from the field, including a pair of late 3-pointers for his eighth game this season of 30-plus points.

Naz Reid scored 18 off the bench and Donte DiVincenzo added 15 for Minnesota, which ended a three-game slide. Rudy Gobert had eight points and a game-high 18 rebounds.

Norman Powell led Los Angeles with 25 points, James Harden added 22 and Ivica Zubac had 17 points and 16 rebounds. The Clippers have lost three of four.

KINGS 123, HEAT 118, 2OT

Sacramento, Calif (AP) — DeMar DeRozan scored nine of Sacramento’s 11 points in the second overtime, and the Kings beat Miami Heat to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games under interim coach Doug Christie.

DeRozan finished with 30 points on 12-of-26 shooting. Domantas Sabonis had 21 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists as the Kings (18-19) won their second straight without injured point guard De’Aaron Fox.

Malik Monk scored 23 points, Keon Ellis had 17 and Keegan Murray added 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. had a triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for Miami. Tyler Herro scored 26 but was called for a costly 8-second violation toward the end of the fourth quarter.

Terry Rozier added 18 points, and Haywood Highsmith had 14.

Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan, center, gets a shot off against Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) and forward Simone Fontecchio, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)