After two very forgettable playoff appearances since quarterback Justin Herbert entered the NFL, the Chargers somehow managed to add to that lackluster postseason resume with another offensive disappearing act on the road in the wild card round.
In what may have been one of, if not the worst offensive outing all season long, the Chargers put only three points on the board despite recording a turnover at the opposing 10-yard line and taking multiple trips to the red zone. All night long, Herbert dropped back and had to scramble the moment he hit the top of his drop. The Chargers’ golden boy looked shellshocked fairly early and watching him under-throw several wide open receivers in a playoff scenario left all who were watching scratching their head.
The pass protection — which has been inexcusably horrendous all year long — was still better than they’d been in recent weeks. Still, there was nothing. Offensive Greg Roman could not manage to scheme anyone open to make Herbert’s job easier. Every single pass play felt like pulling teeth.
By the end of the game, Herbert finished with 159 passing yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also led the team with 57 rushing yards on 10 carries.
The rest of the run game was also non-existent. Kimani Vidal has 11 carries for 31 yards with a long of 10. Omarion Hampton, despite telling reports this week he planned to play, had just one carry for minus-1 yard.
As Herbert’s passing line would suggest, it was a horrendous game for the Chargers wideouts. Ladd McConkey, Oronde Gadsden II, tight end Tucker Fisk, and Keenan Allen all tied with a team-high three receptions. McConkey paced the group with 32 yards. Allen received a team-high eight targets but had one of his worst games of his long career with multiple drops.
The Chargers defense put on another Herculean effort where they put a lid one of the NFL’s best offenses this season, only relinquishing a single touchdown despite being on the field extensively Sunday night. In-season acquisition Odafe Oweh led the team with three sacks, including strip and recovery of Maye on the same play. The other two sacks for the Bolts came via Tuli Tuipulotu and Teair Tart, the latter of which was his first sack of the entire year.
Linebacker Daiyan Henley led the Chargers with 13 tackles and hauled in the team’s lone interception on the night off a Tart deflection.
The Chargers now enter the offseason with another laundry list of questions and what-ifs. Changes have to be made. That’s extremely apparent. The Jim Harbaugh effect combined with Herbert’s regular season play has been enough to turn this team around, but they’re once again at a massive sticking point of their own making.
The original Harbaugh staff — or most of it anyway — got two full seasons together and while they may have exceeded most expectations for them, each season ended in massive disappointment that goes far beyond the simple fact that they lost.
Change is coming. Right now it’s just a matter of when, no if.
For a complete live recap of tonight’s game, check it out below.
First Quarter
The Chargers won the toss and chose to defer. The Patriots offense was up first.
After moving the chains once thanks to a Maye to Stefon Diggs connection, the Chargers defense stepped up on the first third down of the game and came away a sack from Odafe Oweh to force a punt.
Herbert and the offense got off to a quick start with a compeltion to Tre’ Harris for a first down. Several plays later, running back Kimani Vidal barreled up the middle for a short gain and second first down to begin the game.
On the ensuing play, left tackle Jamaree Salyer was called for a false start to make it first-and-15. That loss of yardage put the Chargers behind the sticks and it ultimately derailed a promising drive with the Chargers punting after falling short on third down.
Two plays into the next Patriots drive, Maye’s pass attempt was deflected at the line of scrimmage by defensive tackle Teair Tart. The ball initially hits Derwin James in the arms, but ultimately ended up in the hands of linebacker Daiyan Henley who was tackled at the Patriots 10-yard line.
Herbert scrambled on first down for a gain of four. Greg Roman called a designed run for Herbert to the right on second down but full Scott Matlock missed his block and it limited Herbert to a two-yard gain. On third down, Herbert was forced to scramble up the middle again but gained just two yards to the New England two-yard line.
Harbaugh chose to roll the dice on fourth down and go for it. Herbert escaped the pocket to the right after the Patriots sent pressure and fired the ball to Keenan Allen just inside the goal line on an out route. The ball was a bit high, but Allen looked to consciously not extend his arms thinking the ball was intended for someone behind him and it fell incomplete.
On the first play for the Patriots following the turnover on downs by Los Angeles, Maye checked the ball down to running back Rhamondre Stevenson who broke a tackle and raced 48 yards to midfield.
Before the quarter came to a close, the Patriots were driving and had the ball at the Patriots 11-yard line.
Second Quarter
The Chargers defense held strong yet again with the Patriots in the red zone to hold them only to a short field goal. With 13:32 remaining in the quarter, New England took their first lead at 3-0.
Herbert got his offense rolling with an 11-play, 69-yard drive that ended in a short field goal by Cameron Dicker. Ladd McConkey caught a 20-yard pass while Vidal broke a 10-yard run to keep the drive moving into Patriots territory.
After a face mask penalty on the Patriots, the Chargers had first-and-10 at the New England 11-yard line. A three-yard run and a five-yard pass brought the Bolts to a third-and-two at the Patriots three. Vidal received his sixth handoff on the play but he was stuffed for no gain.
The Patriots looked like they were about to put together another promising drive, but they were stalled around midfield and forced to punt back to the Chargers with 3:23 left in the half.
Both teams traded punts through the middle of the quarter before a short 33-yard punt by JK Scott gave the Patriots good field position with 31 seconds remaining in the half.
Maye scrambled on second-and-10 for a huge 37-yard gain to the Chargers 17-yard line. The Chargers forced two incompletions and the Patriots chose to get their three points before the break.
At the half, the Patriots led 6-3.
Third Quarter
The Chargers began the third quarter with a three-and-out that gained just three yards.
On the other end, the Patriots went on an 11-play drive that traversed 58 yards before Oweh stripped Maye in the pocket before recovering the fumble himself.
But just like the drive following their first forced turnover, the Chargers turned it into zero points before punting after four plays.
Before the end of the quarter, the Patriots put together another long drive that ended in a third field goal to increase their lead to 9-3.
Fourth Quarter
After a Chargers punt, Maye and the Patriots offense marched down the field on a seven-play, 80-yard play that ended in a 28-yard touchdown catch by former Chargers tight end Hunter Henry.
Herbert was decked by multiple defenders and lost the ball on their next drive just four plays in. The defense, despite seemingly being on the field or the entire game, held the Patriots to another three-and-out to give the offense some semblance of hope to make a comeback.
The Chargers strung together a 14-play, 45-yard drive in the closing minutes while still looking for that offensive spark. But in the most poetic fashion imaginable given everything this year brought, Herbert was crushed on fourth down after center Bradley Bozeman lost immediately off the snap. That caused a turnover on downs and was the final play for Herbert during the 2025 season.
The Patriots then ran out the final 1:55 on the clock to seal their victory.
