A rough fought battle held in Texas for the Wild Card Weekend. Chargers fans traveled well for this game, an amazing sight to see with the fan base growing since moving to Los Angeles . Chargers started great at moving the ball down the field, got stymied and had to settle for a field goal. First offense play from the Texans the Chargers Gilman is able to smack to the ball free and Chargers recover the ball. stymied again and the Chargers have to settle for another field goal. Nothing getting done by either defense. Texans pass rushing over fifty percent of the time, and the Chargers defense racking up a sack and a interception on CJ Stroud. The last three minutes of the half with a sloppy hike of the ball from the Texans center a play that damn near looked like it was either going to end in a safety or the ball being at the one yard line, somehow Stroud is able to scoop up the ball and hit a wide open Collins down the field for a Texans first down. Within the last part of the fist half and a very quick Chargers three and out, the Texans are able to go up against the Chargers and finish with a touchdown and a field goal before heading into the locker room. From halftime on it was the McConkey show, almost every yard gained was at the hands of our rookie star wide receiver. Herbert had some interceptions one of which being a pick six but ill address that further along in the article. McConkey gets the Chargers lone touchdown of the day with a 82 yard bomb thrown by Justin Herbert. but from then on it was the Texans running down the clock with running back Mixon and another Stingley interception to finish off the Chargers season beating them 32 to 12.
I wrote about the expectations of this team early on in this year. After the draft took place and with Coach Harbaugh at the helm, I knew it wasn’t going to be a Superbowl run but it was going to be a step in the right direction. Coming off a five win season my highest hopes was that we could double our win count and that to me would be a successful season. We accomplished that and then some with finishing the regular season with eleven wins. not only did we double our wins from last year but we were able to establish a culture, draft well and add some amazing young talent in the later rounds, but we also punched a playoff berth which was icing on the cake. Finished second in our division and with high hopes on the horizon going into the second year of Harbaugh’s reign.
Some will say that Herbert isn’t the guy because of what took place during the wild card matchup in Texas, those individuals are not paying attention. The Texans defense was one of the best in the league and had been handing out tough stat lines to top quarterbacks all season long. Josh Allen, a front runner for MVP voting, was only able to put up 130 yards and one touchdown against them with only a thirty percent completion rate. Goff, who’s team secured the number one spot in the NFC was held to 240 passing yards, five interceptions, and a completion percentage of 50. Tua was held to 196 passing yards and a solo touchdown and three interceptions. The Texans defense had been playing lights out against top quarterbacks. The stat line that Herbert was the first quarterback in the Superbowl era to throw more interceptions in the playoffs than he had all season is such a misguided headline. The man had three interceptions all season leading the league in that stat line. so to have four in one game when some quarterbacks had five or more in a game is ridiculous to bring up. Even with the four interceptions in that game Justin Herbert was only halfway to where Patrick Mahomes was with eleven on the season. two of the interceptions were off of receivers of the chargers so why that stat goes against the quarterback and not solely that wide receiver ill never understand. Justin Herbert is a top quarterback in this league. Peyton manning had a all-star cast when he played for the colts and went o-3 in the playoffs his first five years. Herbert has better stats in every category except games available against Peyton Manning and hasn’t had an all-star cast on offense, his most senior wide receiver didn’t play the last part of the season in Joshua palmer. lets also not forget Herbert has put up these number while in his first five years having three different coaches and four different coordinators. The man is a straight dog and any franchise would trade for him given the right situation. He is only 27 and has plenty of room still to grow and is already in the top tier in the NFL.
Ladd McConkey was an absolute stud. I said from the beginning of the year that he was going to shine and end up being our lead wide receiver. he did that and then some. setting records for most receptions and yards in a rookie season, also most yards in a playoff game in franchise history. racking up over eighty catches and over 1000 yard, this kid is something special and the ceiling is very high for where his career could take this Georgia boy.

J.K. Dobbins having the best year of his career. Most yards, td’s, and carries he’s ever had in a season not to mention being a finalist for the NFL’s comeback player of the year award after almost eclipsing 1000 yards. This man bet on himself after injuries and won. I hope we extend him and that we bolster that running room to help him out this offseason. He was a huge part of the win column this year in being able to play games smartly and bleed the clock a little when ahead.

The one and only Khalil Mack. With the Chargers almost certainly letting Joey Bosa walk after this season, I hope we bring Khalil back for a final go. Still a top stat leader in major categories or at least top ten in the league, he has that fight in him and sources tell me he will be coming back to play in the NFL another year, lets hope that its as a Charger.

This man right here. You have helped restore faith in a fan base and creating a culture inside the locker room that all players are thriving and buying into. You coach with heart and with a high football IQ and to have been able to watch the changes and the decisions being made as a fan has made me feel more optimistic about the future than I ever have in the past. Write it down now at some point in this mans time with the Chargers, they will be hoisting a Lombardi trophy.
Now we sit and watch the playoffs continue, while looking forward to march for free agent period and then onto the combine and the NFL draft. After one season with the Chargers and what was done last year, we have more money and less holes to fill and with that I feel the Chargers will win a playoff game minimum next season. get a solid guard, solid tight end, some help at the wide receiver spot and running back room, were a team no one would want to face. Who knows maybe next year is our year, but I for one can tell you I cant wait for the storm coming next year.