Chargers-Patriots takeaways: Ladd McConkey shines in blowout win

The Chargers (10-6) are going to the playoffs.

On Saturday afternoon, Los Angeles clinched a postseason berth with a 40-7 road win against the Patriots (3-13).

Here are five takeaways from the Chargers' romp.

Jim Harbaugh has done it again

Harbaugh is the king of the turnaround. Los Angeles was one of the league's most disappointing teams last season, going 5-12 under former head coach Brandon Staley.

The Chargers parted with wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekeler during the offseason, making Harbaugh's job harder. Los Angeles has thrived despite having one of the league's worst skill-position groups.

If anyone thinks coaching doesn't matter, look at what's happening with the Chargers. What Harbaugh has done this year has been nothing short of amazing. The only reason it's not a bigger deal than it should be is because he's done this before.

Harbaugh turned the 49ers around in one offseason, from 6-10 in 2010 to 13-3 in 2011, his first season as head coach.

Chargers could have favorable wild-card matchup

Los Angeles is trending toward the best possible option in the wild-card Round.

With a win against the Raiders (3-12) in Week 18 and a fourth-consecutive loss by the Steelers (10-6) to the Bengals (7-8), the Chargers will head to Houston to play the Texans (9-7) on wild card weekend.

Houston was just drubbed 31-2 by the Ravens (11-5) during Christmas Day's Beyoncé Bowl and is without two of its top wide receivers, Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee).

If the current standings hold, the Chargers will travel to Baltimore in two weeks, making the quest for the No. 5 seed crucial to Los Angeles' hopes of having a long playoff run.

Ladd McConkey's OROY case

The Chargers' rookie wide receiver won't win the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award, but he should be a finalist.

He finished Saturday's win with eight receptions, 94 yards and two touchdowns, giving him nine consecutive games with at least 50 yards.

As Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz noted, McConkey tied Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for most consecutive 50-yard receiving games as a rookie.