Since entering the NFL in 2020, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been one of the league's top signal-callers. Herbert has done what no other quarterback in NFL history has been able to, setting the record for the most passing yards in their first five seasons, most completions through six seasons and being near the top of the list in total touchdowns.
Though Herbert has been a premium player in his NFL career, there is one major knock: his performance in the postseason. The Chargers' quarterback has yet to win a playoff game, losing in both of his previous appearances.
Herbert's two playoff losses have been historically rough: an infamous collapse from a 27-0 lead against Jacksonville in 2022, and a four-interception disaster in Houston in 2024. As the Chargers enter their current playoff matchup against the 14-3 New England Patriots, this game offers the franchise quarterback a critical opportunity to secure his first-ever playoff victory and finally lay the "he can't play in January" narrative to rest.
Here is a deeper look at the Chargers quarterback's record-setting career and his challenging history in the playoffs.
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Justin Herbert playoff record
| Year | Playoff Record | Result |
| 2022 | 0-1 | L, Wild Card vs. Jaguars |
| 2024 | 0-2 | L, Wild Card vs. Texans |
Herbert has been in two playoff games in his young career and has failed to win either of them. But, they were two different storylines.
His first playoff start came against the Jacksonville Jaguars in January 2023, fresh off a 10-7 season when Los Angeles was the No. 5 seed in the AFC. The Chargers dominated the early part of the game, jumping out to a 27-0 lead. But, chaos ensued: due to a variety of reasons, whether Brandon Staley's coaching, the Chargers offense not performing in the second half or a personal foul penalty that set up Jacksonville in scoring territory, Los Angeles squandered one of the biggest leads in postseason history and lost 31-30.
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Herbert performed fine in the loss, completing 25-of-43 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown. But, he received plenty of criticism, especially after Los Angeles scored a lone field goal in the third quarter as Jacksonville rattled off 24 second-half points.
In his second playoff start, though, Herbert was the center of criticism and rightfully so. The quarterback threw a career-high four interceptions against the Houston Texans, whose defense dominated the day en route to a 32-12 win. The quarterback was 14-for-32 for 242 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions as Los Angeles was sent home in the wild card round again.
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Justin Herbert playoff stats
- Games: 2
- Record: 0-2
- Pass Attempts: 75
- Pass Completions: 39
- Completion Percentage: 52.0%
- Passing Yards: 515
- Passing TDs: 2
- Interceptions: 4
- Sacks: 7
- Carries: 3
- Rushing Yards: 12
- Rushing TDs: 0
- Fumbles: 1
As Herbert steps into his third career playoff start, the statistical ledger from his previous appearances presents a challenging picture. His overall postseason stat line is weighed down by a four-interception disaster in his second appearance and a low completion percentage across both games.
Crucially, while Herbert put forth a solid statistical effort in the 2022 Wild Card loss to Jacksonville, that performance is forever overshadowed by the team's historic 27-0 collapse.
For Herbert and the Chargers faithful, however, the only number that truly matters is the 0-2 record — a mark he desperately needs to erase to validate his standing as an elite quarterback.
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