The LA Chargers play the Houston Texans on Saturday for the first time since the team's season-ending Wild Card loss in January. While Los Angeles has moved on to the 2025 campaign, the team is obviously aware of the gravity of the rematch.
It’s not just about bitter feelings still lingering either. From a playoff contention point of view, this game will determine a lot for the Chargers. Both Houston and Buffalo are trying to chase them down for the 5th seed.
On top of that, the Chargers basically need to win this game to stay alive in AFC West contention. The only scenario in which they could survive a loss to Houston and win the division in Week 18 is if Denver loses to Chris Oladokun’s battered Chiefs (unlikely).
Justin Herbert acknowledged the history with the Texans before the Chargers' rematch.
Justin Herbert was asked about the Texans playoff game in his Tuesday media availability and had this to say:
"It was one of those things that you continue to think about," Herbert said. “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."
”I think it’s important to hold yourself responsible and accountable,” Herbert continued. “I try not to make the same mistake twice. And I think that’s the most important thing.”
Last year’s playoff game was far from the most ideal setup for Herbert. The offensive line got battered while D.J. Chark had to play a big role as one of the team’s primary outside targets. But the numbers still didn’t lie about Herbert’s performance.
One touchdown, four interceptions, and a 43.8% completion in his last playoff performance is why many in the national media still won’t accept the sixth-year QB as one of the best in the league. Herbert’s 40.9 passer rating in that game was the lowest of his career by far.
Herbert has been in the realm of MVP candidacy with how he has played this season. But fairly or unfairly, these next three games (including the Wild Card round) are what he’ll be judged on by most. It won’t be easy-the Texans bring their dominant pass rush to SoFi Stadium to face the 32nd-ranked team in the league in pass block win rate. On the other hand, Houston’s offense has also had their own struggles.
It’s not a revenge game for Herbert in terms of how he thinks about it. But Houston represents another opportunity for the Chargers to prove their legitimacy to the league. And one has to imagine Herbert has been chomping at the bit for more of those opportunities after last season.