What a disaster.
The Los Angeles Chargers got steamrolled 32-12 by the Houston Texans in the playoffs, and NFL fans were quick to pile on. Enter Jim Harbaugh — some fans were calling him a “JJ McCarthy merchant,” mocking Chargers HC after an embarrassing loss.
It’s the kind of burn that stings and sticks, as critics make it clear they’re not at all impressed with the Chargers’ playoff performance.
Fans Rip Into Jim Harbaugh After Chargers’ Playoff Meltdown
After the Chargers’ 32-12 blowout loss to the Texans, fans couldn’t help but pile on. The jabs were quick and sharp, with one fan saying, “Turns out Jim Harbaugh is a JJ McCarthy merchant.”
Ouch, considering J.J. McCarthy is a rookie while Justin Herbert is often heralded as one of the top QBs in the NFL (2024 QB+ grade: 78.9, C+, 14th in the NFL).
Turns out Jim Harbaugh is a JJ McCarthy merchant pic.twitter.com/yt3O3vGxCA
— Edge (@SomethingEra2) January 12, 2025
Harbaugh, to his credit, took the L gracefully. “They were the better team today, all respect to them,” Harbaugh said post-game. “Not being the better team — I’m accountable for that. Congratulations to DeMeco Ryans and the Texans.”
One fan went for the gut punch: “The [Texans] have joy in their program. Jim Harbaugh only brought [the Chargers] shame, fake forced enthusiasm, and antics.” No love there.
And then, this shot hit home: “It’s still about Xs and Os, and Jim runs the least dynamic offense in the league. BLOWN OUT.”
The @HoustonTexans have joy in their program. Jim Harbaugh only brought @chargers shame, fake forced enthusiasm, and antics. It's still about Xs and Os and Jim runs the least dynamic offense in the league. BLOWN OUT. pic.twitter.com/0LO8XYAGm1
— Spartan Bob (@bcampb292) January 12, 2025
Another commented, “It’s getting more ridiculous by the day.”
But it wasn’t all Harbaugh’s fault. Some fans turned their attention to the Chargers’ poor execution, calling out the team’s bad third and fourth-down decisions.
“Chargers being stupid on 3rd down and 4th. Kicking receiver inside on 3rd down should alert defense that it’s a run. Then running a speed out with your not best WR against Texans’ best CB (horizontal route) in tight coverage short of the sticks… Can’t teach stupid,” the fan quipped.
In the end, Harbaugh’s playoff run in L.A. turned into a meltdown for the ages.
Harbaugh’s Meltdown After Special Teams Mistake
Harbaugh’s playoff dreams went up in smoke thanks to a mind-boggling mistake by kicker Dicker. In a rare twist of fate, Dicker’s blocked PAT attempt turned into a two-point touchdown for the Texans — and not in the way anyone expected.
Dicker tried to bat the blocked PAT that skied up into the air down into the ground like a failed Hail Mary. Texans CB D’Angelo Ross scooped it up and took it to the house for two points.
This all went down immediately after the Chargers finally scored an 86-yard TD, courtesy of Herbert and rookie Ladd McConkey, who made a defensive back miss in style. But that moment of brilliance was quickly overshadowed by the special teams’ disastrous blunder, leaving Harbaugh fuming.
It wasn’t just the special teams slip-up, though. With Herbert tossing four picks (and recording a QB+ grade of 62.6, D-, in the process) and the Chargers’ offense unraveling, it was clear that this was the worst-case scenario. Harbaugh’s meltdown perfectly captured the Chargers’ playoff exit: too many mistakes, too little time.