The Los Angeles Chargers finished the 2024 NFL regular season with three straight wins, largely due to quarterback Justin Herbert’s recent hot streak. Subsequently, head coach Jim Harbaugh led his new team to the postseason in his first year in Los Angeles — no small feat given last year’s struggles. On Saturday, the Chargers will visit the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card Round.
After missing out on the playoffs in his first three seasons, Herbert has led Los Angeles to the playoffs for the second time in three years. The Chargers’ Wild Card status means both of Herbert’s first two playoff games will come on the road, although Los Angeles is favored to beat Houston anyway.
Herbert addressed the media ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Texans.
Justin Herbert’s First Impression of Jim Harbaugh
Herbert officially became the NFL’s top passer through the first five seasons of a career in the win over the New England Patriots. He opened by completing 17 of his first 21 passes for 162 yards, a pair of scores, despite multiple drops.
In Week 18, he continued dominating, completing 28 of his 36 attempts for 346 yards and two touchdowns in the season finale, taking his season tally to 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Harbaugh was crucial in the Chargers improving their 5-12 record of the last season to 11-6 this year, and his relationship with the franchise quarterback is special. Herbert recently told the reporters about the moment when he felt Harbaugh was special.
“What was the first time, maybe during offseason workouts or something, that Jim said where you were like, this guy is definitely different?” the reporter asked.
Herbie had an immediate answer for this one 😅
(via @chargers) pic.twitter.com/oDepO5sE9N
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2025
“I think when he talked about remembering the day he was born,” Herbert replied. “Was probably the first day that––he kind of told us the whole story, and how he remembered looking out the window, and I think it was a cold, snowy day. I really hope he does remember that, that would be pretty cool.”
Chargers fans hope that the duo can work their magic and buy Los Angeles a date in the Divisional Round, securing Herbert’s first playoff win in the process.
Harbaugh Talks About Chargers’ Playoff Run
Harbaugh’s unique tactics have brought him instant results — just like they did when he coached at the University of Michigan and, prior, the San Francisco 49ers. He spoke about the decision not to rest his starters despite having already clinched a playoff berth.
“If we were locked into a seed, we’re not locked into a seed,” Harbaugh said. “So we’re playing to move up. I mean, we’d love to be in the fifth seed. That gives you a chance to have a playoff game at home. It could even be in the divisional round at home and the championship game at home, so that’s where things stand for us.”
The Chargers clinched the No. 5 seed in the AFC with their Week 18 win.
“We’re here. Football-wise, we’re alive,” Harbaugh said. “And we want to stay alive. Keep at it.”
On the other hand, Herbert wants to take things one at a time.
“I think our whole purpose as this team is to win games. We got to take it one game at a time. We’ve got a very good opponent that we’re playing on Saturday,” he said.
“For us, we have to have our focus, dial in all week and have a great week of preparation. We really do take it one week at a time, and that would mean everything to us.”
real talk. pic.twitter.com/sKdXbyCDpz
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 7, 2025
By PFN’s QB+ metric, Herbert ended the year as the league’s 14th-best quarterback, sandwiched between starters like Jordan Love and Geno Smith. Outplaying that ranking would go a long way to taking Los Angeles on a deep playoff run.
“The most important thing is to trust yourself. To go out there and know that we didn’t get here by chance,” Herbert concluded.