HOUSTON -- Four. That’s the number of times the Los Angeles Chargers completed a pass to the Houston Texans defense in their 32-12 Wild Card Weekend defeat in Houston.
It was an uncharacteristic performance from the Chargers, which ranked atop the NFL in fewest interceptions all season with three. Los Angeles’ season-long interception total wasn’t only matched — it was shattered — in an evening where nothing seemed to go right for an offense.
“That’s on me to make a better throw,” quarterback Justin Herbert said after his four-interception outing. “I’ve got to do a better job protecting the ball and you can’t expect to win games when you turn over the ball like that, especially when you throw interceptions like that.”
It was the second career playoff start for Herbert, hoping to rewrite the script for an organization which had only infiltrated the Divisional Round once in the past decade. The first of Herbert’s four interceptions transpired in the second quarter, bringing a train of momentum to a screeching halt as Los Angeles had an opportunity to extend a 6-0 advantage in the second quarter.
Immediately after the Charger defense intercepted Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud at the Houston 40-yard line, Herbert elected to take a deep shot to Quentin Johnston. However, the quarterback's across-the-body throw, originating from beyond the right hash and veering toward the left sideline, was intercepted by Kamari Lassiter who had Johnston blanketed downfield. The interception, caused by a heap of pressure by the Texans’ dominant defensive front, prevented Los Angeles from gathering a multi-score lead and served as a pivotal turning point in the matchup.
“It’s on us to be able to execute and handle that, and I think I did a poor job handling the pressure,” Herbert said. “I’ve got to find the quick outs, throw the ball away, and do a better job protecting the ball.”
From that moment onward, the interceptions continued to pile on. In the third quarter trailing 13-6, Herbert overshot McConkey toward the sideline and Texans strong safety Eric Murray snatched and rerouted the football for a pick-six. The quarterback threw another pick four offensive snaps later as a ball deflected off tight end Will Dissly’s gloves and into those of Derek Stingley Jr. Finally, with the game essentially out of reach in the waning minutes, Herbert’s deep strike intended for DJ Chark was undermined again by the All-Pro cornerback Stingley.
“He’s gotta be able to finish his throwing motion,” Harbaugh said as a reason for the four interceptions Saturday. “The quarterback’s gotta be able to do that. We didn’t put him in the position to do that enough. The edge pressure was the best we’ve seen.”
It was an uncharacteristic showing for the NFL’s leader in lowest interception percentage, but Herbert’s teammates viewed Saturday as a minor setback in the an unfinished journey of a franchise centerpiece.
“He makes the throws that he thinks are appropriate,” center Bradley Bozeman said. “I have no questions or judgment on him or anything like that. Our heart beats with 10. He’s the leader of this team. He’s a damn good football player. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league. I was proud of him to be my quarterback this year. I wouldn’t want anyone else.”
The offensive struggles were apparent far beyond the four interceptions thrown by Herbert. Los Angeles’ most fruitful offensive series transpired immediately after the opening kickoff. On the first possession, the Chargers amassed 57 yards in 10 plays for its only red zone appearance of the game. It was the only long-sustained drive of the entire contest for Los Angeles, which saw its only touchdown stem from an 86-yard heave to Ladd McConkey with 10:38 remaining in the fourth quarter.
One noticeable difference between the Chargers’ opening drive and their ensuing possessions was the productivity of the run game. Los Angeles registered 27 rushing yards on their first five carries, but only manufactured 23 on their final 15. The Chargers largely ditched the ground attack as the game progressed, and lead tailback J.K. Dobbins only handled one attempt after halftime.
“First drive was good. I don’t know what happened,” Dobbins said. “I just couldn’t help my team win today... Whatever the coaches wanted to do, I was all on board. I just wanted to win the game. If me getting the ball would have helped win the game, I’d be all for it. If someone else getting the ball or doing something else wins the game, then I’m all for it.”
The presence of a capable run game was a stark contrast between Los Angeles’ 2022 playoff team and their 2024 squad. Dobbins picked up 905 yards and nine touchdowns in the regular season, while Gus Edwards supplemented with 365 yards and four touchdowns behind a stout offensive line featuring one of the league's best tackle pairings. However, that progress exhibited in the regular season didn’t show its colors in Saturday’s playoff atmosphere.
“They were doing a tremendous job knocking back at the line of scrimmage and tackling,” Harbaugh said. “They were very effective in stopping the run. It was a really good run wall by them.”
After an unconventional game of offensive struggles which saw a promising season come to a conclusion, there was no finger-pointing. While the disappointment was apparent, nearly every member of the Chargers, from first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh to seasoned veteran Derwin James echoed the same sentiment — this was their favorite team they've ever been apart of. The tight-knit locker room hopes that special chemistry established in 2024 can help the franchise move past a frustrating Saturday as the calendar flips to 2025.
“It’s a team full of guys that really care about each other and want to fight for each other, no matter the situation,” guard Zion Johnson said. “I’m encouraged. I know the type of guys we have. The talent level is there. We’ve just got to prepare to reach our potential. It’s there.”