The Los Angeles Chargers booked their place in the NFL play-offs with a dominant 40-7 victory at the New England Patriots.

Justin Herbert threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns to help the Chargers earn a wildcard spot in John Harbaugh’s first season as head coach.

The Patriots were booed off the field by the home fans after the game finished.

The Denver Broncos failed to clinch the final AFC play-off spot as they lost 30-24 to the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime.

Joe Burrow, who threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns, found Tee Higgins in the final two minutes of the extra period to seal a fourth straight win and keep the Bengals’ play-off hopes alive.

The Bengals need to win their final game against AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers and also hope other results go in their favour.

The Broncos needed to hold on for a tie to clinch a play-off spot and must now beat the Kansas City Chiefs – already confirmed as the top seed in the AFC with 15 wins in 16 games – to make the play-offs for the first time in nine years.

Also on Saturday, the Los Angeles Rams closed in on the NFC West title with a 13-9 win at home to the Arizona Cardinals.

Kyren Williams made the Rams’ only touchdown of the contest while Joshua Karty added two field goals before Ahkello Witherspoon’s interception in the endzone with 37 seconds remaining sealed victory.

The win lifts the Rams to 10 wins from their 16 games – one clear of the Seattle Seahawks before their meeting in the final round of matches next week.

Only a defeat and several other results going against them would cost the Rams.