Justin Herbert entered Saturday’s wild-card showdown with high hopes. Fans believed this was his moment to shine after a stellar regular season. But what unfolded at NRG Stadium left everyone stunned. And not just stunned, but disappointed, too.

Herbert threw four interceptions in a devastating 32-12 loss to the Texans. The quarterback had just three interceptions all season. And he matched that total in under four quarters. Talk about playoff pressure getting on one’s nerves! His passes, once precise, became misfires. Two of them directly led to game-changing turnovers. Eric Murray’s pick-six in the 3rd quarter put the Texans up 20-6. While Derek Stingley Jr.‘s 54-yard return early in the fourth quarter sealed the Chargers’ fate.

Herbert finished with 242 yards and one touchdown. But it wasn’t enough to mask the mistakes. His 43.8% completion rate tied for the third worst in franchise playoff history. Herbert’s postseason struggles have fueled doubts about his ability to deliver on the big stage, with comparisons to veteran Philip Rivers already swirling. And none of that for a good reason, of course.

Some context is necessary despite the loss. Houston’s defense was praised by Harbaugh as “scary good.” And it played a pivotal role in exposing Herbert’s vulnerabilities. Safety Eric Murray and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. had career-defining performances, capitalizing on every mistake.

Meanwhile, C.J. Stroud showcased his poise. He threw for 282 yards and one touchdown. His ability to turn broken plays into game-changing moments underscored the stark contrast between the two quarterbacks.

The Chargers’ season had looked promising. And Herbert had set a franchise record for the fewest interceptions in a season. But Saturday’s collapse seems reminiscent of Rivers’s playoff woes, who had a 5-7 record in the playoffs. And it reinforced the team’s reputation for Chargering.

Familiar pain for Chargers fans

For longtime fans, this loss echoed decades of playoff heartbreak. The franchise’s 5-9 playoff record over the last 30 years loomed large as the Texans delivered another painful chapter. Fans weren’t forgiving. “Justin Herbert is not a top 5 QB,” one fan posted. Another said, “I don’t ever want to hear Justin Herbert’s name mentioned in any conversation with Mahomes, Burrow, Allen or Lamar EVER again.” The backlash highlighted an all-too-familiar narrative for the Chargers: immense talent failing when it matters most.

Herbert now holds the unwanted title of most interceptions in a playoff game by a Chargers’ QB since 1995. Ironically, that year’s quarterback, Stan Humphries, actually faced Jim Harbaugh. Yep, the same coach is now trying to guide Herbert to greatness. “Justin Herbert finished 14-32 (43.8%), the worst completion percentage in a playoff game by a Charger since Philip Rivers in 2006, and tied for 3rd worst in franchise history (min. 20 att),” a fan wrote, likening Philip Rivers’ lackluster playoff outings with Herbert’s.

Media personnel and analysts were not any kinder. “Justin Herbert threw 3 interceptions all season long — 2 in his last 15 games. So of course he’s thrown 4 today in the wildcard playoffs against a Texans team that last looked like a playoff-caliber team sometime in October,” Fox reporter Ralph Vacchiano posted on X.

The Chargers faced uncomfortable questions as the Texans celebrated their dominance. Was Herbert’s regular-season efficiency just an illusion? Or was this a one-off meltdown under immense pressure?

The Chargers must now regroup. But the sting of this loss will linger. Fans and analysts will debate Herbert’s playoff pedigree. They’ll inevitably draw comparisons to Rivers’ legacy. And the shadow of playoff failure will hang over his career until Herbert silences the critics.