Can Justin Herbert exorcize playoff demons when Chargers host Texans?
Justin Herbert threw just three interceptions during the 2024 regular season before topping that total in a miserable playoff performance against the Houston Texans.
Herbert gets another opportunity against Houston in a crucial clash Saturday when the Chargers battle the Texans in Inglewood, Calif.
The sixth-year pro was picked off four times when Houston walloped the visiting Chargers 32-12 in the AFC wild-card round last season.
Herbert has never thrown more than two interceptions in any of his other NFL appearances and admits he's still haunted by the disastrous performance that ended Los Angeles' season.
"It was one of those things that you continue to think about," Herbert said Tuesday. "No one felt worse than I did after that game.
"And I think it's important to continue to move forward and realize that it's what happened. It would be crazy of me to deny the truth of what happened and to live in this reality where if I tried to block it out, I don't think that's doing any good."
Herbert was 14 of 32 for an uncharacteristic 43.8% completion rate that also rates as a career worst.
Houston star cornerback Derek Stingley had two of the interceptions, while Kamari Lassiter and since-departed Eric Murray had the others. Murray returned his 38 yards for a touchdown.
Herbert acknowledged his performance will have to be much improved against a Houston defense that rates as the best in the NFL. The Texans lead the NFL in scoring defense (16.6 points per game) and total defense (272.3 yards per game) and rank second with a plus-15 takeaway margin.
"I think that's going to be really important -- is just ball security in this game," Herbert said. "Just understanding that we got to do those three things: ball security, scoring points in the red zone and converting on third down."
Los Angeles (11-4) has won four straight games and seven of eight and clinched a playoff spot when the Indianapolis Colts lost to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
The Chargers are one game behind Denver in the AFC West and will win the division with two victories. They face the Broncos next week in Denver and hold the tiebreaker after winning the first matchup in September.
The Texans (10-5) have won seven straight games and will clinch a playoff berth by beating the Chargers. They are one game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South.
Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud is sure the Chargers are going to be angry.
"I bet they're motivated to knock us off just because what happened last year," Stroud said Tuesday. "So, we got to be motivated."
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans termed the game as a big one for both teams, but even more so for his squad.
"For our team and where we are at this point of the season, we've earned the right to play a game that's meaningful," Ryans said. "A really huge game for us that if we win, we get in.
"They continue to play with the passion, the energy, what we needed to play with. They finish games the right way to put themselves in a position right here to have a win-and-get-in moment. I'm excited to see our guys go out and play this game."
Houston pass rushers Danielle Hunter (13 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (11.5) are enjoying big seasons. In the secondary, Stingley, Lassiter, Jalen Pitre and Calen Bullock each have four interceptions.
The Chargers will be without run-stopping linebacker Denzel Perryman, who was suspended two games due to repeated violations of playing rules that protect the health and safety of players.
Five Chargers missed practice the past two days -- receiver Derius Davis (ankle), safety RJ Mickens (shoulder), cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (shoulder), tackle Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) and running back Kimani Vidal (neck).
Four Texans have yet to practice this week -- defensive end Denico Autry (knee), linebacker Jake Hansen (chest) and tackles Trent Brown (ankle/knee) and Aireontae Ersery (thumb surgery).