The 2025 season ended disappointingly for the Los Angeles Chargers as they were eliminated from the playoffs following a 16-3 defeat to the New England Patriots. Quarterback Justin Herbert shouldered the blame for the loss, citing an uncharacteristically poor performance. Despite a strong regular season where he led the team to eleven wins, Herbert’s playoff outing fell short of expectations.
Herbert completed 19 of 31 passes for 159 yards without scoring a touchdown. He also led the Chargers in rushing with 55 yards. “I didn’t play well enough and didn’t make any plays,” he stated after the game. “And when it mattered most, we didn’t score any points.” His performance was particularly disappointing given the high hopes surrounding the team, which had fought through numerous injuries throughout the season.
In the opening drive, Herbert missed a significant opportunity when he failed to connect with a wide-open Ladd McConkey, opting instead to scramble for a modest nine-yard gain. Later in the third quarter, he underthrew McConkey on a critical third down, allowing Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones to break up the pass. Reflecting on his field vision during the game, Herbert said, “Obviously, not well enough.”
Despite the offensive struggles, the Chargers’ defense performed commendably, pressuring Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and recording five sacks. Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh stood out with three sacks, setting a new franchise record for a postseason game. The defensive effort kept the game competitive until the fourth quarter, when the Patriots finally scored with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Maye to tight end Hunter Henry.
Herbert’s postseason struggles have become a pattern, with the Chargers now 0-2 in playoff appearances under head coach Jim Harbaugh. The team’s offense has managed to score just two touchdowns across these games. When asked about the performance of offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Harbaugh refrained from giving a definitive answer, stating, “We’re going to look at that and everything.”
Despite the disappointing outcome, Harbaugh defended Herbert, describing him as a “warrior” for his perseverance throughout the season, which included playing with a fractured left hand. Teammates echoed this sentiment, with right guard Mekhi Becton emphasizing Herbert’s resilience. “I don’t think he did anything wrong,” Becton said, adding that with Herbert at the helm, “we can do anything.”
As the Chargers look ahead to the offseason, questions about their offensive strategy and Herbert’s postseason performance will be at the forefront of discussions. With a talented roster, the expectation remains that the team can bounce back and find success in future seasons.
