Justin Herbert threw only three interceptions during the regular season, but his four interceptions were a major factor in the Chargers’ 32-12 loss to the Texans. He made history as the first quarterback with at least 200 attempts in a season to throw more interceptions in a playoff game than in the regular season. Herbert addressed his mistakes when speaking to reporters after the game.
“I let the team down,” Herbert said. “You can’t turn the ball over like that and expect to win. I put the team in a tough spot with four turnovers. The defense played tough, got turnovers, and gave us chances. I just have to be better.”
While other Chargers players pointed to issues with Herbert’s protection throughout the game, the NFL is a quarterback-driven league. The team’s inability to capitalize on early opportunities and build a lead ultimately puts the spotlight on Herbert.
This loss is especially significant as Herbert has now struggled in both of his playoff appearances. Overcoming these hurdles will be a key milestone in his journey to becoming one of the league’s top quarterbacks.