HOUSTON — The Chargers fall apart as they lose their AFC Wild Card matchup 32-12 to the Houston Texans on Saturday night. Los Angeles’ season comes to an end with the loss. With the loss, the Chargers finish the season 11-7 and will now look to the offseason.
Here are takeaways from the Chargers Wild Card loss to the Texans:
Herbert turnovers doom the Chargers
"I let the team down," Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. "... You can't turn the ball over like that and expect to win. ... I just have to be better."
Justin Herbert had a nightmare of a performance against the Texans.
Herbert finished the game throwing 4 interceptions in the loss. The 4 interceptions was more than Herbert threw during the season for Los Angeles.
Herbert is the first Chargers QB with 4 INTs in a playoff game since Stan Humphries had 4 vs Colts in 1995 wild-card game.
The winning QB for the Colts that day? Jim Harbaugh
Herbert looked uncomfortable all day with constant pressure in his face and a nonexistent run game to help. He was sacked 4 times and pressured on 50% of his drop backs. The team didn't help enough on the ground and only ran for 50 yards with their 18 carries.
He completed just 14-of-32 passing (43.8%), the worst completion percentage in a playoff game by a Charger since Philip Rivers in 2006, and tied for third worst in franchise history (minimum 20 attempts).
The Chargers QB has accumulated some impressive numbers early in his career but has struggled when needed most.
He will have to look himself in the mirror and realize it is on him to be great if the Chargers want to truly be a successful and winning franchise.
Los Angeles doesn’t take advantage of Houston’s slow start
Early in the game it looked like the Chargers could pounce on the struggles of the Texans.
The Chargers received the ball first and drove down to add some early points when kicker Cameron Dicker knocked in a 35-yard field goal.
On the Texans first offense play of the game, DB Alohi Gillman caused a fumble that safety Derwin James recovered and advanced to the Texans’ 33-yard line.
Los Angeles had a chance for a double digit lead but ended up settling for another field goal.
Up 6-0, the Chargers defense forces three punts and added an interception on Houston’s next four offensive drives.
The only problem was that the offense didn’t add another score until 10:38 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Chargers had every opportunity to possibly jump out to an early double digit lead but Herbert & the offense couldn’t take advantage of the stellar defensive play.
McConkey continues to impress
The Chargers had a very disappointing performance in their Wild Card matchup.
If you could find any positive in the tough loss it’s that Ladd McConkey is truly a star.
He was the only one to perform at a high level for the Chargers offense.
McConkey caught 9 passes for 197 including an 86-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter that gave the Chargers some of hope late.
The former Georgia Bulldog looks like a player that all fantasy football players and the rest of the league should key their eye on.