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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert faced significant criticism following his performance in the Wild Card game against the Houston Texans. In what has been described as one of the worst playoff performances by a quarterback in the last decade, Herbert struggled immensely, throwing four interceptions and finishing the game with a er rating of 40.9, the lowest of his career.
Herbert, who had an impressive regular season, was expected to lead the Chargers deep into the playoffs. However, the Wild Card game turned into a nightmare for the young quarterback. His four interceptions, including a pick-six, contributed to the Chargers' early exit from the playoffs, losing to the Texans in a game that ended with a final score of 32-12.
The game began on a promising note for the Chargers, with Herbert leading a couple of scoring drives in the first quarter. However, things quickly unraveled as the Texans' defense capitalized on Herbert's mistakes, forcing turnovers that shifted the momentum in their favor.
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The team needs a lot of help offensively
Justin Herbert's struggles were compounded by pressure from the Texans' defensive line, which sacked him multiple times and disrupted the Chargers' offensive rhythm. Out of 214 quarterback performances in the playoffs over the past 10 seasons, Herbert's game ranks 213th in EPA per play.
Herbert's performance drew comparisons to other notable playoff struggles in recent history. The performance has sparked discussions about his ability to handle high-pressure situations and deliver in crucial moments, just like in the 27-point debacle in Jacksonville two postseasons ago.
Herbert only threw three interceptions in the regular season and things turned around in the playoffs. As the Chargers look ahead to the offseason, the focus will be on addressing their ofensive issues with lack of protection for the quarterback, a need for offensive linemen and wide receivers.