Newton, special teams lead Patriots to rout of Chargers

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Cam Newton ran for two touchdowns and the New England Patriots scored two TDs on special teams in a 45-0 rout of the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Newton has four games this season with multiple rushing touchdowns, breaking the league record for a quarterback. He had three such games in 2011, an achievement he shared with five others, and has 10 in his career, three more than any other QB.

Newton’s 1-yard dive on the game’s opening drive and a

2-yard keeper up the middle in the second quarter gave him 11 rushing scores on the year. His most in a season is

14 as a rookie with the Carolina Panthers in 2011.

The Patriots (6-6) have won two straight and four of five to get back into playoff contention in the AFC.

Los Angeles (3-9) suffered the worst loss in franchise history, eclipsing a 49-6 defeat to Kansas City in 1964. It was the first time since 2014 the Chargers were shut out. LA will finish with a losing record for the second consecutive season.

Gunner Olszewski took Ty Long’s punt 70 yards up the right sideline early in the second quarter, putting New England ahead 14-0. The Patriots’ second specialteams score came on the last play of the first half, when

Devin McCourty returned a blocked field-goal attempt 44 yards to the end zone. New England led 28-0 at halftime.

The Chargers reassigned special teams coach George Stewart on Nov. 25, but LA’s struggles in that phase continued.

Newton completed 12 of 19 passes for 69 yards, including a 5-yard pass to N’Keal Henry during the third quarter that extended New England’s lead to 35-0.

Jarrett Stidham replaced

Newton early in the fourth quarter and threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Olszewski. Rookie Justin Herbert was 26 of 53 for 209 yards for the Chargers. He was

intercepted twice.

INJURIES

Patriots: CB Jonathan Jones and TE Larry Izzo suffered neck injuries and did not return.

Chargers: RB Joshua Kelly suffered an ankle injury and did not return.

LT Sam Tevi missed the game because his wife gave birth to the couple’s child.

UP NEXT

Patriots: Remain in Los Angeles to face the Rams on Thursday night.

Chargers: Host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Ashley Landis / Associated Press New England Patriots wide receiver Gunner Olszewski runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL game on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.

Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images Running back Damien Harris (37) of the New England Patriots runs with the ball against linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (56) of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.