Herbert takes blame after loss: 'I let team down'

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  • Kris Rhim, ESPNJan 11, 2025, 11:18 PM ET

HOUSTON -- After 1 of the worst games of his profession successful Saturday's 32-12 playoff nonaccomplishment to the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers backmost Justin Herbert took accountability for his struggles.

"I fto the squad down," he said. "... You can't move the shot complete for illustration that and expect to win. ... I conscionable person to beryllium better."

It was an uncharacteristically lousy crippled from Herbert. He vanished 14-of-32 passing (43.8%), the worst completion percent successful a playoff crippled by a Charger since Philip Rivers successful 2006, and tied for 3rd worst successful franchise history (minimum 20 attempts). Herbert threw a league-low 3 interceptions during the regular play but had 4 against the Texans, making him the first subordinate successful NFL history to propulsion much picks successful a playoff crippled than successful the regular play (minimum 200 attempts).

Herbert's mistakes began successful the 2nd quarter. With 11:39 near and the Chargers starring 6-0 and successful the reddish zone, he rolled to the correct broadside of the section connected play-action and threw the shot crossed his assemblage to receiver Quentin Johnston connected the left. But the walk was was underthrown and intercepted by cornerback Kamari Lassiter.

Late successful the 3rd quarter, Herbert threw a shot excessively precocious for wide receiver Ladd McConkey that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by information Eric Murray. It was Herbert's first pick-6 since 2022.

His 3rd interception came because of a driblet by tight extremity Will Dissly, but his past later successful the 4th fourth came connected different underthrown shot to wide receiver DJ Chark, who had a measurement connected cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.

"I thought the guys extracurricular did a awesome occupation fighting and getting open, and it's connected maine arsenic a backmost to beryllium capable to present the ball," Herbert said.

Coach Jim Harbaugh was speedy to take sides Herbert postgame, saying his QB played "like he ever does -- a complete beast." Harbaugh added that the violative statement didn't protect Herbert good capable and that the Texans' separator unit was the champion his squad had seen this season. Herbert was sacked 4 times and pressured connected 50% of his dropbacks, according to TruMedia.

"He's sewage to beryllium capable to decorativeness a throwing motion," Harbaugh said. "Quarterback's sewage to beryllium capable to do that, and we didn't put him successful the position to do that enough."

Teammates besides rushed to take sides Herbert's capacity pursuing the loss.

"He's a damn bully shot player," halfway Bradley Bozeman said. "One of the champion quarterbacks successful the league. I was proud for him to beryllium our backmost this year. I wouldn't want anybody else."

Added information Alohi Gilman: "He's gonna get slack for it because group are going to opportunity X, Y, and Z, but we cognize he's a awesome quarterback. I wouldn't alteration a thing. ... That's my guy. That's our quarterback."

And said defender Zion Johnson: "We cognize the type of feline he is. We cognize the type of quarterback, the type of leader he is."

Herbert is now 0-2 successful the playoffs. In his first playoff appearance, 2 seasons agone against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Chargers were connected the incorrect broadside of 1 of the astir embarrassing losses successful NFL history, blowing a 27-0 first-half lead successful an eventual 31-30 defeat.

Now, Herbert is connected the incorrect broadside of different humiliating loss.

"We'll conscionable person to support watching movie and measure the play," he said erstwhile asked what it will return to person much postseason success. "Obviously, it was not bully capable by immoderate standards today, and I put the squad into a jeopardy-type position pinch each the turnovers, truthful connected maine to get amended and support pushing forward."