There's plenty to like about what former Oregon Duck and current Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has done this season, but Saturday's performance against the Houston Texans wasn't one of them.
In his second career postseason game, Herbert and the Chargers struggled mightily. His final stat line? 14/32 (43.8% completion percentage) for 242 yards, one touchdown, and a not-pretty four interceptions.
Herbert has made it to playoffs twice, both times as a road favorite against the AFC South champion that essentially nobody thought had a chance. The way the Chargers were playing down the stretch, they looked like one of the best teams in the league. Their faceplant against the Texans was a horrible showing.
In 2022, Herbert and the Chargers played against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Chargers had a 27-0 lead in the second quarter. The Jaguars outscored the Chargers the rest of the way 31-3, winning 31-30 on a last-second field goal.
It was an incredible collapse. Herbert went 11/22 in the second half of the game, failing to get anything going. In the Chargers' four second half possessions, they punted twice, had one missed field goal, and one made field goal.
In two playoff games, Herbert has a combined 52% completion percentage with two passing touchdowns, four interceptions, and has taken seven sacks.
For as much natural arm talent as Herbert has — and he has it in spades with one of the strongest arms in the league — but he and the Chargers continue to fall short. This season was certainly one of growth. The team was 5-12 in 2023 and improved dramatically to 11-6, winning their last three games.
Next season, it'll be imperative for Herbert to show up and get some significant wins before his reputation as a quarterback that they can't win with continues to gain steam.
