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Justin Herbert: I Put Chargers in 'Jeopardy' with 4 INTs in Wild Card Loss vs. Texans

Zach BacharContributor IJanuary 12, 2025

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 11: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after throwing an interception against the Houston Texans in the third quarter during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at NRG Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Tim Warner/Getty Images

Justin Herbert took responsibility for his rough performance during the Los Angeles Chargers' 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans in their Wild Card playoff matchup on Saturday.

"Obviously, it was not good enough by any standards today," Herbert told reporters after the defeat (11:00 mark). "I put the team in jeopardy, a tough position, with all of those turnovers and it's on me to get better and keep pushing forward."

The 26-year-old threw four interceptions against Houston after he was picked off just three times in 17 regular-season starts.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

JUSTIN HERBERT THROWS A PICK-6 😳<br><br>TEXANS UP 20-6.<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a>) <br> <a href="https://t.co/VWgwit7BSj">pic.twitter.com/VWgwit7BSj</a>

Herbert finished 14-of-32 for 242 yards and a touchdown to go along with his quartet of interceptions. He was also sacked four times.

NFL @NFL

The <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HoustonTexans</a> take it right back! Kamari Lassiter with the pick.<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LACvsHOU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LACvsHOU</a> on CBS/Paramount+<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/Up3GcnjfrY">pic.twitter.com/Up3GcnjfrY</a>

Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey made a strong impression in his first postseason game by catching nine passes for 197 yards and a score, but the rest of the Chargers' offense was sluggish throughout the contest.

Los Angeles converted just three of 11 opportunities on third down and struggled to move the ball on the ground, rushing for 50 yards on 18 attempts as a team.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh didn't feel that Herbert was solely responsible for the turnover issues, bringing up pass protection miscues.

"He's got to be able to finish a throwing motion," Harbaugh told the media after the game. "Quarterback's gotta be able to do that. And we didn't put him in the position to do that enough."

Herbert didn't have as large of a role in Los Angeles' offense compared to past years, but he remained efficient throughout the 2024 regular season. The Pro Bowl passer completed 65.9 percent of his throws for 3,870 yards and 23 touchdowns, with only one of his interceptions occurring on the road.

NFL @NFL

Herbert to Ladd! The rookie WR is back in action and back in the end zone for the <a href="https://twitter.com/chargers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chargers</a>.<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TBvsLAC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TBvsLAC</a> on FOX<br>📱: <a href="https://t.co/waVpO909ge">https://t.co/waVpO909ge</a> <a href="https://t.co/tRCcTxcNXr">pic.twitter.com/tRCcTxcNXr</a>

After Saturday's defeat, the Chargers are still looking for their first playoff win since Herbert was drafted in 2020.