Located in the Houston Texans players’ auditorium at NRG Stadium is a massive wall painting of Texans edge rusher Danielle Hunter extending his arm toward the neck and chest of Los Angeles wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who drew the unpopular task of trying to block Hunter in the AFC Wild Card playoff game back in January, which the Texans won 32-12.
That play may not bring back haunting memories for McConkey, but for his quarterback, Justin Herbert, it has been replaying in the back of his mind on a loop.
“It was one of those things that you continue to think about,” Herbert said via ESPN. “No one felt worse than I did after that game. And I think it’s important to continue to move forward and realize that it’s what happened. It would be crazy of me to deny the truth of what happened and to live in this reality where if I tried to block it out, I don’t think that’s doing any good.”
Herbert may have a repeat performance of the playoff game when the Texans arrive at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with securing a playoff spot on their minds as they try to extend their winning streak to eight games.
Houston has the league’s number-one overall defense, with two players recording double-digit sacks this season: Will Anderson Jr. (11.5), who was voted to the Pro Bowl, and Danielle Hunter (13.0).
Cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. (Pro Bowl) and Kamari Lassiter (Pro Bowl Alternate) join first-time Pro Bowler linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and safeties Jalen Pitre (Pro Bowl Alternate) and Calen Bullock (Pro Bowl Alternate) will give the Chargers’ offense fits, just as they did at NRG Stadium the last time they met.
Herbert went 14-of-32 for 242 passing yards and four interceptions in the loss. It was his career-worst in completion percentage (43.8) and passer rating (40.9), also career lows. He also suffered four sacks, which could double on Saturday, as the Chargers have been dealing with offensive line issues due to injury all season.
Yet Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans will not let the past be the past, as he knows Herbert is playing at an elite level despite a broken non-throwing hand.
“They have a really great quarterback in Justin Herbert, who’s done a really nice job,” said Ryans. “A great running back, so it’s going to be a challenge, a challenge that we’re up for.”
Anderson is on the same page with his head coach, recognizing that the Chargers offense has many weapons that Herbert uses throughout the game.
“Big personnel that wants to run the ball, old school team,” said Anderson. “Herbert is playing his best ball right now by making big plays down the field and using his legs and finding a way to win these games. He has been showing up big time for those guys. So, it is going to be a great challenge for us.”