Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers faced a painful exit from the postseason following a 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots in the Wild Card round. Despite a strong regular season, the Chargers’ offense struggled to find any rhythm, failing to score a single touchdown throughout the game.
The loss was particularly stinging because the Chargers’ defense performed well, holding the Patriots to just 16 points and providing the offense with multiple opportunities to take control. However, Herbert was sacked six times and struggled to move the ball downfield, finishing with only 159 passing yards.
After the game, Herbert was visibly dejected as he addressed the media, noting that the offense let the defense down. While his coach, Jim Harbaugh, praised his toughness and warrior spirit, Herbert focused on the results, acknowledging that they had to do better than three points.
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Herbert Admits He “Hasn’t Figured It Out” As Postseason Struggles Continue
In a moment of raw honesty during his post-game press conference, Justin Herbert admitted that he hasn’t yet found the key to winning in the playoffs. This admission stood in stark contrast to the optimistic “new beginning” message Coach Harbaugh had just shared moments earlier.
Herbert’s struggles were evident on the field as he failed to capitalize on turnovers created by his defense. He appeared uncomfortable in the pocket and was unable to convert crucial third and fourth downs that could have changed the momentum of the game.
The quarterback’s inability to figure it out has become a central theme of his career in January. While he has all the physical tools and regular-season statistics of an elite player, the postseason requires a different level of execution that has eluded him so far.
Winless Playoff Record Sparks Intense Debate Over Herbert’s Elite Status
With this latest loss, Justin Herbert’s career playoff record has dropped to 0-3, sparking a heated debate among NFL fans and experts. Many are questioning whether a quarterback can truly be considered elite if they cannot secure a single win in the postseason.
This fan says it might be time to move on from Herbert.
Another fan claims that Herbert just doesn’t have the ‘it’ factor.
The pressure on Herbert will only increase as he moves into the next season of his career. To quiet the doubters, he will need more than just high passing yards and highlight-reel throws; he will need a win in January. Until that happens, the debate over his status among the league’s best will continue to grow, with many waiting to see if he can finally translate his massive potential into postseason results.
Published: Jan 12, 2026 12:03 pm