J-Herb-ohhh nooo.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had just three passes intercepted in the full 18 weeks of the regular season. He matched that total in just over three quarters against the Houston Texans in Saturday’s wild card matchup. He surpassed it with a fourth pick in the final three minutes.
Herbert is playing in just the second playoff game of his career in his fifth season as the Chargers’ starting quarterback. His performance in the 2024 regular season – a 65.9% completion rate, 3,870 passing yards and 23 touchdowns to three interceptions – despite a lackluster supporting cast of wide receivers was a big part of why Los Angeles made it this far.
It’s ironic, then, that a few mistake throws from Herbert in Houston was part of what kept the Chargers from advancing.
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Justin Herbert throws four interceptions vs. Texans
The 26-year-old threw his first interception early in the second quarter. Herbert tried to do too much on the play, launching a deep pass across his body after rolling out of the pocket. It stayed in the air too long, and cornerback Kamari Lassiter took full advantage.
Herbert’s second interception came late in the third quarter. With left tackle Rashawn Slater pushed backwards and almost into the quarterback’s legs, Herbert didn’t fully follow through on his pass attempt to standout rookie receiver Ladd McConkey. The pass sailed high, and safety Eric Murray snatched it out of the air and returned it for a touchdown.
Herbert’s third interception of the evening was the one for which he deserves the least blame. Four plays after his second interception, the Chargers quarterback dropped back and threw a side-arm pass as the Texans’ pass-rush closed in.
His throw was on target to tight end Will Dissly, but the pass-catcher was unable to haul it in. Instead, Dissly tipped the ball in the air and into the waiting arms of Derek Stingley Jr. If not for the heroic efforts of running back J.K. Dobbins to make the tackle, that interception also might have been returned for a touchdown.
With three minutes left in the game, Herbert threw a fourth interception that all but ended the Chargers’ hopes of moving on to the divisional round.
This time, he didn’t put quite enough juice on his throw to D.J. Chark while trying to push his team’s offense down the field quickly. Again, Stingley was there in coverage and leaped to take away the ball for his second interception of the evening.
Justin Herbert stats today
Here’s how all of Herbert’s stats looked in the Chargers’ wild card round loss to the Texans:
Completion rate: 14-of-32 (43.8%)
Passing yards: 242
Touchdowns: 1
Interceptions: 4
Passer rating: 40.9