Justin Herbert gets another chance to rewrite his playoff narrative as the Chargers face the Patriots. Against MVP-caliber Drake Maye, Herbert must be at his best to overcome past postseason struggles and lead Los Angeles to a crucial road win.
Los Angeles Chargers franchise quarterback Justin Herbert will get his third crack at the playoffs on Sunday when the team takes on the New England Patriots. His first two postseason appearances are games many Chargers fans would prefer to forget. However, this season’s version of Herbert appears to be operating on another level. Going up against potential NFL MVP Drake Maye will be a major challenge, and if the Chargers want to advance to the next round of the playoffs, they will need Herbert to dominate on the biggest stage.
Herbert’s previous two playoff games have been nothing short of a nightmare. The first came against the Jacksonville Jaguars, when the Chargers jumped out to a massive first-half lead, only to suffer a stunning collapse that ended with a last-second field goal loss. The second appearance was even more puzzling. After throwing just three interceptions during the entire regular season, Herbert inexplicably threw four in a single playoff game, effectively ending the Chargers’ hopes before halftime. While those performances remain stains on his résumé, Herbert still has plenty of time left to rewrite his story. On Sunday night, he has another opportunity to show the football world that he is truly “that guy.”
One of the biggest challenges Herbert has faced this season has been the Chargers’ offensive line, which has struggled mightily. The unit has often failed to provide consistent protection, limiting Herbert’s ability to let plays develop downfield. With defenders frequently in his face, Herbert has had to rely on quick decision-making and elite arm talent to keep the offense afloat. When given even a moment of time, he has shown the ability to fit the football into impossibly tight windows. Fortunately for Los Angeles, the Patriots may be one of the better matchups Herbert could ask for. New England ranks near the bottom of the league in sacks, highlighting their lack of consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Another Achilles heel for the Chargers in last year’s playoff loss was the lack of offensive weapons. While wide receiver Ladd McConkey delivered a massive performance with 197 receiving yards, the rest of the offense failed to step up. This season, that should not be the case. The return of Keenan Allen provides Herbert with a trusted veteran target, while Quentin Johnston has shown signs of a resurgence. Add in promising contributors like Oronde Gadsden and Omarion Hampton, and Herbert should have more than enough weapons to move the ball effectively.
On the other sideline, Drake Maye’s emergence has been one of the most impressive storylines of the season. Playing at an MVP-caliber level, Maye has led the Patriots to the second seed in the AFC. If the Chargers want to pull off the upset, Herbert must match—and ideally outshine—his counterpart. Herbert possesses arguably the strongest arm in the NFL, along with the mobility needed to extend plays and keep defenses honest. If he can effectively combine those traits on Sunday, the Chargers may very well leave Foxborough with a statement victory.