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Kris Rhim, ESPN
HOUSTON– After among the many most terrible video video games of his job in Saturday’s 32-12 playoff loss to the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert took duty for his battles.
“I let the team down,” he acknowledged. “… You can’t turn the ball over like that and expect to win. … I just have to be better.”
It was an uncharacteristically poor online game fromHerbert He ended up 14-of-32 passing (43.8%), probably the most terrible conclusion portion in a championship recreation by a Charger as a result of Philip Rivers in 2006, and linked for third worst in franchise enterprise background (minimal 20 efforts). Herbert tossed a league-low 3 interceptions all through the conventional interval nonetheless had 4 versus the Texans, making him the preliminary gamer in NFL background to toss much more decisions in a championship recreation than within the regular interval (minimal 200 efforts).
Herbert’s errors began within the 2nd quarter. With 11:39 left and the Chargers main 6-0 and at a loss space, he rolled to the best aspect of the world on play-action and tossed the sphere all through his physique to receiver Quentin Johnston left wing. But the cross was underthrown and obstructed by cornerback Kamari Lassiter.
Late within the third quarter, Herbert tossed a spherical too costly for cross receiver Ladd McConkey that was obstructed and returned for a aim by securityEric Murray It was Herbert’s preliminary pick-six as a result of 2022.
His third interception got here because of a go to restricted finish Will Dissly, nonetheless his final later within the 4th quarter started a further underthrown sphere to cross receiver DJ Chark, that had an motion on cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
“I thought the guys outside did a great job fighting and getting open, and it’s on me as a quarterback to be able to deliver the ball,” Herbert acknowledged.
Coach Jim Harbaugh fasted to guard Herbert postgame, stating his QB performed “like he always does — a complete beast.” Harbaugh included that the offending line actually didn’t protect Herbert nicely enough which the Texans’ aspect stress was the simplest his group had really seen this era. Herbert was sacked 4 occasions and pressured on 39% of his dropbacks.
“He’s got to be able to finish a throwing motion,” Harbaugh acknowledged. “Quarterback’s got to be able to do that, and we didn’t put him in the position to do that enough.”
Teammates moreover hurried to guard Herbert’s effectivity after the loss.
“He’s a damn good football player,” facility Bradley Bozeman acknowledged. “One of the best quarterbacks in the league. I was proud for him to be our quarterback this year. I wouldn’t want anybody else.”
Added safety Alohi Gilman: “He’s gonna get slack for it because people are going to say X, Y and Z, but we know he’s a great quarterback. I wouldn’t change a thing. … That’s my guy. That’s our quarterback.”
And acknowledged guard Zion Johnson: “We know the type of guy he is. We know the type of quarterback, the type of leader he is.”
Herbert is at present 0-2 within the playoffs. In his preliminary playoff look, 2 durations in the past versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Chargers acquired on the wrong aspect of amongst one of the disagreeable losses in NFL background, blowing a 27-0 first-half lead in a 31-30 loss.
Now, Herbert will get on the wrong aspect of a further embarrassing loss.
“We’ll just have to keep watching film and assess the play,” he acknowledged when requested what it is going to definitely require to have far more postseason success. “Obviously, it was not good enough by any standards today, and I put the team into a jeopardy-type position with all the turnovers, so on me to get better and keep pushing forward.”
