FOOTBALL: Can Justin Herbert exorcise demons when Chargers host Texans?

Justin Herbert, who threw just three interceptions during the 2024 regular season, saw that total surpassed in a difficult playoff outing against the Houston Texans.

Now, Herbert has another opportunity to face Houston in a crucial matchup Saturday when the Los Angeles Chargers host the Texans in Inglewood, California.

The sixth-year quarterback was picked off four times when Houston dominated the Chargers 32-12 in last season’s AFC wild-card round. Herbert has never thrown more than two interceptions in any other NFL game and admits he is still haunted by the performance that abruptly ended Los Angeles’ season.

“It was one of those things that you continue to think about,” Herbert said Tuesday. “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.”

Herbert went 14 of 32 for an uncharacteristic 43.8% completion rate, a career low. Houston cornerback Derek Stingley had two interceptions, while Kamari Lassiter and former Charger Eric Murray had the others. Murray returned his pick 38 yards for a touchdown.

Herbert acknowledges he must improve against a Houston defense that ranks among the league’s best. The Texans lead the NFL in scoring defense (16.6 points per game) and total defense (272.3 yards per game), and are second with a plus-15 takeaway margin.

“I think that’s going to be really important—just ball security in this game,” Herbert said. “Just understanding that we’ve got to do those three things: ball security, scoring points in the red zone, and converting on third down.”

The Chargers (11-4) have won four straight games, seven of their last eight, and clinched a playoff spot after the Indianapolis Colts lost to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.

Los Angeles trails the Denver Broncos by one game in the AFC West and can win the division with two victories. The Chargers face Denver next week in Denver, holding the tiebreaker after winning the first matchup in September.

The Texans (10-5) have won seven straight and will secure a playoff berth with a win over the Chargers. They are one game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South.

Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud anticipates a fired-up Chargers team.

“I bet they’re motivated to knock us off just because of what happened last year,” Stroud said Tuesday. “So, we’ve got to be motivated.”

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans described the game as crucial for both teams, especially for Houston.

“For our team and where we are at this point of the season, we’ve earned the right to play a game that’s meaningful,” Ryans said. “A really huge game for us that, if we win, we get in.

“They continue to play with the passion and energy we need. They finish games the right way to put themselves in a position for a win-and-get-in moment. I’m excited to see our guys go out and play this game.”

Houston pass rushers Danielle Hunter (13 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (11.5) have had standout seasons. In the secondary, Stingley, Lassiter, Jalen Pitre, and Calen Bullock each have four interceptions.

The Chargers will be without linebacker Denzel Perryman, suspended two games for repeated violations of player safety rules.

Los Angeles also ruled out wide receiver Derius Davis (ankle), tackle Jamaree Salyer (hamstring), cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (shoulder), and safety RJ Mickens (shoulder). Running back Kimani Vidal (neck), right guard Mekhi Becton (knee), and defensive lineman Teair Tart (groin) are questionable.

Houston will miss right tackle Trent Brown (ankle/knee) and linebacker Jamal Hill (calf/wrist), while left tackle Aireontae Ersery (thumb surgery), wide receiver Justin Watson (calf), defensive end Darrell Taylor (ankle), and cornerback Ajani Carter (hamstring) are questionable. The Texans cleared defensive end Denico Autry (knee) and Stingley (oblique), among others, to play.

—Field Level Media/Reuters