The Los Angeles Chargers are entering their playoff game Saturday with quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert has not had much experience in the playoffs, but he is coming off some special games at the end of the regular season.
Chargers Go Into Playoffs With Their Fearless Leader
Herbert is 0-1 in the postseason. He played against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round in 2022, and the Chargers lost 31-30. Herbert went 25-for-43 and threw for 273 yards and a touchdown. He did not throw an interception.
The Chargers had gone 10-7 and earned the final wild-card spot.
Herbert was sacked three times and lost a fumble in the game. The Chargers blew a 27-0 lead in the first half, and Riley Patterson kicked a field goal to win it for the Jaguars. This was the biggest blown lead in franchise history.
But, Herbert is attempting to put that massive loss behind him. The Chargers QB has all eyes on the future and the team’s touch matchup with the Houston Texans.
“I think our whole purpose as this team is to win games,” Herbert said. “We got to take it one game at a time. We’ve got a very good opponent that we’re playing on Saturday.
“For us, we have to have our focus, dial in all week and have a great week of preparation,” Herbert added. “We do take it one week at a time and that would mean everything to us.”
Herbert has led the Chargers to three straight wins to close out the regular season. The Chargers are on a roll at the right time. Their offense has exploded, scoring an NFL-best 108 points in the past three games.
Herbert said the team is ready to take the next step and win a playoff game.
“It would mean everything for us,” Herbert said. “It is the most important game this year because it’s the next one.”
“We didn’t get here by a chance or by luck.”
– #Chargers QB Justin Herbert ahead of the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/gjsMuQueXK
— Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) January 7, 2025
His coach, Jim Harbaugh, has significantly more playoff experience than Herbert, especially in the NFL. Harbaugh coached in eight playoff games as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
Harbaugh has never lost in the first round of the NFL playoffs and is 1-0 in the wild-card round. His wild-card win came on the road against the Green Bay Packers during the 2013 season.
In three playoff appearances under Harbaugh, San Francisco went 3-1 in road games and 2-1 at home.
The game on Saturday afternoon will start at 4:30 ET on CBS. The game will also be featured on Nickelodeon for children to watch and enjoy. Former NFL receiver and CBS broadcaster Nate Burleson will serve as color commentator on the alternative telecast.