Bolt Action: 1/13/2025

Justin Herbert, shown here in an earlier game this year, had a rough day against Houston throwing four interceptions. (Photo by Duane Barker).

By Tim Peterson

Justin Herbert threw three interceptions all year and threw four in Saturday’s 32-12 AFC Wild-Card Playoff loss to the Houston Texans. Herbert had a bad game, no question, statistically his worst performance of the year, but it didn’t help that Herbert was running for his life most of the day.

The Texans pressured Herbert 11 times and sacked him four times as Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter ran roughshod through the Chargers offensive line. Both Chargers’ tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, had only three pressures allowed coming in.

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Herbert was 14 of 32 for 242 yards and a touchdown on the day to go along with the four picks. Rough day for Herbert but a great day for Ladd McConkey who hauled in nine catches for 197 yards and a score. The 197 yards was a rookie record for yards in a playoff game. But after McConkey the pickings were slim. Tight End Will Dissly had two catches for 16 yards but dropped a pass that turned into a pick six by Derek Stingley Jr. McConkey was the team’s leading receiver this season with 82 receptions for 1,149 yards.

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The O-Line also had some issues run blocking as well. The Chargers’ running attack was almost non-existent that led to more struggles for Herbert. The Chargers had only 50 yards rushing as J.K. Dobbins (26 yards) averaged less than three yards a carry and Gus Edwards (22 yards) averaged 3.1. The Chargers didn’t have a 1,000-yard rusher this season. Dobbins led the team with 905 yards followed by Edwards with 365 and Herbert at 306. The Texans on the other hand a big day on the ground. They rushed for 168 yards with Joe Mixon going for 106.

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The Chargers did win 11 games and earned a number five seed in the AFC in what many thought could be a rebuilding season despite the hiring of head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has had success at all of his previous stops. And the Chargers have plenty of cap space, which could be close to $100 million by the time free agency opens.

The Chargers who still haven’t won a playoff game since 2018, have close to 30 pending free agents including Dobbins, defensive linemen Poona Ford and Morgan Fox, receiver Joshua Palmer, Edge Khalil Mack, cornerback Assante Samuel Jr. and linebacker Denzel Perryman. But key players Herbert, McConkey, Slater, Alt, safety Derwin James and linebacker Daiyan Henley are all under contract.

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Mack, an 11-year veteran, is considering retirement. Mack had six sacks this season and two in the playoff game to go along with 39 total tackles on the year. Mack, who also spent time with the Bears and Raiders, is now 0-5 in the post season. Mack is a free agent this year for the first time in his career and will weigh all of his options before making his decision.

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The Chargers’ Cameron Dicker “The Kicker” finished the season at 92.9 percent on field goals hitting 39 of 42. He was 9 of 11 on 50 plus with a long of 59.

1 Comment to "Bolt Action: 1/13/2025"

  1. Detached Bolt's Gravatar Detached Bolt
    January 14, 2025 - 9:49 am | Permalink

    Draft suggestions : First round : Tyler Warren TE PennState . Warren would be great target and safety net for Herbert . TE important for Harbaugh run inclusive offense .

    Second round: Arizona State RB Scaddebo. He can catch out of backfield and can get both tough sustaining runs and longer explosive runs . He is clutch competitor in Harbaugh mode . I love Dobbins , but the propensity for injury and free agent status make him unlikely contributor next year.

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