Welp, that wasn't the result anyone would have thought in Jim Harbaugh's first playoff game back in the NFL with Justin Herbert as his quarterback.
The Chargers lost 32-12 to the Houston Texans in what seemed to be a full-blown offensive struggle for Greg Roman's side of the ball.
Two numbers just seem off.
Number one is Herbert throwing four interceptions, one turning into a pick-six.
Two is allowing 32 points to an offense that is missing receivers, Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs. Mind you, quarterback CJ Stroud is talented, as is receiver Nico Collins, but they weren't at full strength and managed to dominate the game.
Stroud finished the game going 22-for-33 with 282 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception. Running back Joe Mixon rushed for 106 yards and a late touchdown. Collins had seven receptions for 122 yards and one touchdown.
More on number two later, but returning to number one.
In all honesty, the first interception might have hurt the most. Stroud had just thrown a pass to cornerback Deane Leonard with 11:46 left in the second quarter.
Chargers offense would start the ball on the Houston 40-yard line. Play-action pass on the first play with Herbert rolling to his right. He threw a pass across his body, which he has done numerous times, but cornerback Kamari Lassiter intercepted this one. The problem with that play was that Herbert had run it numerous times, but with former receiver Mike Williams, not Quentin Johnston.
It cost the Chargers an opportunity to go from 6-0 to possibly 9-0 or 13-0.
Herbert's pick-six did hurt the team because the game went from 13-6 to 20-6. He overthrew Ladd McConkey, and the ball went right into the arms of safety Eric Murray, who ran it back 38 yards.
Brandon Sloter - The Sporting Tribune
Kamari Lassiter #4 of the Houston Texans celebrates after an interception in the second quarter during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
"It's tough, I let the team down," Herbert said.
The third interception came at the start of the 4th quarter after the pick-six. Herbert dropped back on 1st-and-10 from the Houston 39-yard line when he threw a pass toward tight end Will Dissly that he popped up and intercepted by Derek Stingley Jr., which he returned to the Chargers 13-yard line. They settled for three points.
On the Next Chargers drive, Will Anderson and Mario Edwards sacked Herbert twice in a row, putting them at 3rd-and-26. Herbert dropped back and threw a pass to McConkey, who took it 86 yards for the touchdown.
It wouldn't matter as the Texans went up the field and scored on a weakened Chargers defense that had tried to hold on and help the team stay in it.
Herbert threw only three interceptions the whole season, so for him to throw four in one game is unheard of. He has never thrown more than two in a game.
McConkey was his only reliable receiver, as he was during the season, catching nine passes for 197 yards and one touchdown. Derius Davis and DJ Chark were the only receivers to make a catch. They combined for two catches for 14 yards. That is not how you win football games.
"Not being the better team today, I'm accountable for that. So that's on me," Harbaugh said.
Both the head coach and quarterback took the blame on Saturday.
When asked about Herbert's four interceptions, Harbaugh took the blame, "Again, on me."
It was on everyone offensively. Harbaugh, Roman, Herbert, and the players. Everyone.
The offense line had one of their worst games because Herbert was pressured on numerous plays, sacked four times, had his arm hit when throwing, and sustained numerous hits.
"He's got to be able to finish a throwing motion," Harbaugh said. "Quarterback's gotta be able to do that. And we didn't put him in the position to do that enough."
It was a bad time for the offense, which was smacked around by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they came out to play in Houston.
Back to number two, the Texans had numerous injuries on offense and were still able to take advantage of certain instances that tilted the game in their favor.
Brandon Sloter - the Sporting Tribune
C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans celebrates in the second half during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
With 6:15 left in the 2nd quarter, Stroud faced a 3rd-and-16 when he evaded defenders, rolled to his right and found a wide-open Xavier Hutchinson for a 34-yard gain. A couple of plays later, Stroud found Collins open for a 37-yard gain across the middle to set them up in the red zone. Two plays later, Stroud had his offense at 3rd-and-11 when he found an open Collins for the 13-yard touchdown. It was too easy.
The defense was put in a tough spot, but they did have three Stroud sacks and three Texans turnovers while only allowing two touchdowns. They held on as much as they could, but the offense's lack of firepower hurt them.
The Chargers' first year under Harbaugh was one they could build on, with numerous draft picks and free-agent signings contributing to the team. They won 11 games and made the playoffs. Yes, it was an exit that wasn't expected, but now the work begins.
General managers Joe Hortiz and Harbaugh have many roster questions heading into the offseason, including Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Kristian Fulton, Poona Ford, Trey Pipkins, and Alohi Gilman. However, they will have cap space and draft picks.
This isn't how they wanted to go out, but it is what it is. Now, they must build on what they were able to do in year one.