HOUSTON — After one of many worst video games of his profession in Saturday’s 32-12 playoff loss to the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert took accountability for his struggles.
“I let the crew down,” he mentioned. “… You cannot flip the ball over like that and anticipate to win. … I simply should be higher.”
It was an uncharacteristically awful recreation from Herbert. He completed 14-of-32 passing (43.8%), the worst completion share in a playoff recreation by a Charger since Philip Rivers in 2006, and tied for third worst in franchise historical past (minimal 20 makes an attempt). Herbert threw a league-low three interceptions in the course of the common season however had 4 towards the Texans, making him the primary participant in NFL historical past to throw extra picks in a playoff recreation than within the common season (minimal 200 makes an attempt).
Herbert’s errors started within the second quarter. With 11:39 left and the Chargers main 6-0 and within the purple zone, he rolled to the suitable facet of the sector on play-action and threw the ball throughout his physique to receiver Quentin Johnston on the left. But the move was underthrown and intercepted by cornerback Kamari Lassiter.
Late within the third quarter, Herbert threw a ball too excessive for extensive receiver Ladd McConkey that was intercepted and returned for a landing by security Eric Murray. It was Herbert’s first pick-six since 2022.
His third interception got here due to a drop by tight finish Will Dissly, however his final later within the fourth quarter got here on one other underthrown ball to extensive receiver DJ Chark, who had a step on cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
“I believed the blokes outdoors did a terrific job preventing and getting open, and it is on me as a quarterback to have the ability to ship the ball,” Herbert mentioned.
Coach Jim Harbaugh was fast to defend Herbert postgame, saying his QB performed “like he all the time does — an entire beast.” Harbaugh added that the offensive line did not defend Herbert effectively sufficient and that the Texans’ edge stress was the perfect his crew had seen this season. Herbert was sacked 4 instances and pressured on 39% of his dropbacks.
“He’s acquired to have the ability to end a throwing movement,” Harbaugh mentioned. “Quarterback’s acquired to have the ability to do this, and we did not put him within the place to try this sufficient.”
Teammates additionally rushed to defend Herbert’s efficiency after the loss.
“He’s a rattling good soccer participant,” heart Bradley Bozeman mentioned. “One of the perfect quarterbacks within the league. I used to be proud for him to be our quarterback this yr. I would not need anyone else.”
Added security Alohi Gilman: “He’s gonna get slack for it as a result of persons are going to say X, Y and Z, however we all know he is a terrific quarterback. I would not change a factor. … That’s my man. That’s our quarterback.”
And mentioned guard Zion Johnson: “We know the kind of man he’s. We know the kind of quarterback, the kind of chief he’s.”
Herbert is now 0-2 within the playoffs. In his first playoff look, two seasons in the past towards the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Chargers had been on the mistaken facet of one of the vital embarrassing losses in NFL historical past, blowing a 27-0 first-half lead in a 31-30 defeat.
Now, Herbert is on the mistaken facet of one other humiliating loss.
“We’ll simply should preserve watching movie and assess the play,” he mentioned when requested what it can take to have extra postseason success. “Obviously, it was not ok by any requirements at present, and I put the crew right into a jeopardy-type place with all of the turnovers, so on me to get higher and preserve pushing ahead.”
