Chargers’ Offensive Line Struggles Lead to Postseason Exit

The Los Angeles Chargers had one of the most unique offensive line combinations in the NFL this season, with a whopping 18 different lineups used throughout the regular games. Unfortunately, this lack of consistency didn’t prepare them for the postseason—quite the opposite, really.

In their wildcard loss against the New England Patriots, the team’s defense put in a commendable effort, limiting the Patriots’ scoring to just one touchdown and forcing two turnovers. However, the offensive side of the ball really struggled, primarily due to poor blocking.

Quarterback Justin Herbert bore the brunt of the team’s offensive line issues. He fought valiantly to keep the Chargers competitive, but relentless pressure from the opposing defense ultimately crushed his efforts.

Pro Football Focus reported that Herbert faced 30 pressures during that game, including six sacks. That’s a staggering figure. When you break down his dropback statistics, it turns out he was pressured on 68.2% of his intended passing plays, which is tough for any quarterback.

While not every pressure led to disastrous outcomes—Herbert is undeniably talented, despite any narratives that might say otherwise—the Patriots were unyielding. Eventually, the floodgates opened, culminating in a fourth-quarter strip sack that essentially ended any hope for a comeback.

The struggles of the offensive line didn’t just hamper the passing game; they all but obliterated any ground game as well. Running backs Kimani Vidal and Omarion Hampton managed only 30 yards on 12 carries. Surprisingly, Herbert was actually the most effective runner on the team, racking up 57 yards.

One particular run highlighted the team’s difficulties. Herbert was strip-sacked on a corner blitz, and Vidal managed to recover the loose ball, running for 17 yards. It’s almost ironic that such a result felt necessary, emphasizing the underdog status the Chargers held throughout the game.

“At the end of the day, we didn’t perform well enough. It starts with us up front,” said guard Zion Johnson following the match. “We’ve got to be better. Scoring just three points isn’t enough. We need to execute at a higher level, and we fell short today.”

If you followed the Chargers during the regular season, this outcome probably wasn’t surprising. The offensive line struggled with injuries and inconsistent performance all year, leaving them woefully unprepared for playoff competition.

However, there is a silver lining; the Chargers will have the opportunity to regroup and revamp their lineup by 2026. They certainly could use it.