The Los Angeles Chargers are back in the playoffs in their first year under Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz’s leadership!
Ryan Watkins has done an amazing job breaking down the scouting reports on both sides of the ball this week. In case you missed it, here is his in-depth look at how the Bolts’ offense will fare against the Texan’s defense, and how Jesse Minter’s defense can gain an edge against Houston’s offense.
In the final injury report, we learned that Joshua Palmer will be OUT for the Bolts (and later saw Ja’Sir Taylor moved to the IR), and Shaq Mason OUT for the Texans. A handful of other players on each side had some “Questionable” tags, but no “Doubtfuls.”
This has been one heck of a season with all of you, and I’m excited to be tuned in to catch this playoff game with you all. Let’s get excited and enjoy some Chargers playoff football!
Good drive, Bills!!
So far the Bills defense looks fully prepared to shit the bed. 😜🫤
As long as the Broncos get their asses kicked today I’ll be OK. 😉
Happy to see the Steelers taken out too. FTG.
Sorry I wasn’t here to participate. Not sorry, from what I’ve read here and other articles, that I missed the game. Snow/ice brought a tree down on a buddy’s fence, cows got out, 6 hours to get them all penned up again.
So 2024 season is in the books. Herbert narrative will suck….but right now it’s factually hard to refute. I still think the team is headed in the right direction but this result is disappointing. Everyone here has the right to voice that disappointment, to feel the PTSD brought about by years of “chargering”, and to offer opinions about what went right and wrong. Some I agree with, some I don’t. Sounds like life, huh? 😜 For me? I’d like to not see Roman back….but I doubt that happens. I’d like to see the inside of both lines strengthened and better skill players, particularly at TE. That’s my short wish list.
I trust that Hortiz will continue to build this roster. I hope that Harbaugh will continue to elevate the players’ confidence and his staff their level of play. Lotta work to do this off-season. Excited to see how it plays out with cap room.
Big thanks to Kyle for Stormcloud!! Thanks to Ryan, TDU, and everyone else who contributed and continues to contribute. We’re building something here, just as the Chargers are building something new as well.
So yeah….disappointed in this game result. Cognizant that there’s a lotta work to be done but confident in the direction. Hoping that key weaknesses are addressed, that both the processes and results lead to a deeper run in 2025. Excited to see how we get there.
Pretty certain I agree.
You can only play your schedule and we beat the teams we should’ve, in general. There were teams that pushed us around too. I, like you, am full tilt behind Justin….but I’m a little concerned about his confidence taking a hit. I really wish he’d spend some time with Rivers. That’s not a knock on Harbaugh….I just think Rivers might instill some things that Harbaugh possibly can’t. Blowing all the sunshine in the world up someone’s ass doesn’t work to motivate and inspire self-confidence in everyone.
As for the roster? Yes, definitely holes to fill. But no NFL roster is ever perfect. It’s just not possible with the salary cap. That’s a good thing for competition.
I believe in the direction their headed and believe we have a GM and HC who can keep strengthening the roster. I’m eager to see what an off-season without such binding financial handcuffs will bring. I’m optimistic….but, like you, I’m not blind to the challenges nor do I think this year was a full measure of the team and staff. We played quite a few weaker opponents and got pushed around by some stronger ones. That bears watching.
I guess I’m not surprised to see the general reaction here, but still find it a bit disappointing. IMO the Chargers have a bright future right now, and that should be the focus.
Obviously, I agree the proof will be on the field next season. But right now I see no reason to believe those results will not be very good.
@tau837
I haven’t seen anyone here said that the future of this team isn’t bright. Criticizing an obvious poor performance by Justin Herbert isn’t saying that he won’t a win a championship with this team. With Jim Harbaugh and Joe Ortiz, there is much to be exciting about the future of this team. It isn’t blasphemy to criticize Herbert after a poor playoff performance by him. Someone at the most important position the team has should also be open for criticism for poor performance just like the others.
I’m disappointed as hell today and shocked at what sounds like a terrible performance from Herbert. Still love the kid, have confidence in him, and think the team is headed in the right direction. But I’ll unapologetically call it like I see it. Unfortunately….or perhaps fortunately….I didn’t see this one. The results suck but I’m moving on to a hopefully very exciting offseason.
No game is determined by a single play, and the Chargers had a hundred opportunities to create a different outcome, but if the officials had called that second quarter grounding call, which was grounding, the game would’ve been 8-0 with Chargers ball. I know “coulda been” is the dumbest place to live as a sports fan (or a gambler, or a lover, or anything else), but damn, that one’s going to bug me a while.
Gene Sterratore is not only an ex-ref, he’s a former head of officiating. Also, a network employee these days. And as a network employee, and company man, he disagrees with the on-field decisions exactly 0% of the time. He explained that Stroud was outside of the tackle box when he launched the missile to nowhere. You and I and anyone with two eyes and a pulse could see he was inside the tackle box. Bravo, Gene.
It is completely false that Sterratore never disagrees with on field calls.
Waiting.
You funny, man. I love you, Tau. You offer a ton here and I always appreciate your comments and insight. Looking forward to the offseason and a great next season with you.
I get you Erick, and, agreed, it’s not 2013 any longer. But in 2025, a team still needs an IOL, which this team hasn’t had all season. Running KJ on 3rd and 1/2 for a loss started my indigestion. That 4th down play to QJ, which was terrible design with exquisite execution, was also my final straw.
I think the D played well enough to win the game. In the first 25 minutes they played well enough to pitch a shutout. What they needed was an offense who could grind yards, get first downs, eat clock, and score points. Herbert and co could do none of these things, sadly. It’ll be a long offseason, but I think they’ll add some guys (a center, a pass-catching TE, another WR, etc.) to put this offense in a position to win.
Hey everyone – obviously that was a depressing result for all of us.
It’s going to be a somber week. I’m in a bit of a weird spot – I’m renovating my garage and my office is just “flex” storage space right now until it’s done (end of the week is the plan!). I was hoping to have my offseason stuff ready to go when the season ended for us, but I need at least another week.
I promise to have an outline on StormCloud’s plans for the offseason out as soon as the garage is finished and I have my office back. Ryan and I are really hoping to make the draft process really, really fun for everyone with some unique ideas, but as this first year is still a huge learning experience for us, please continue your amazing patience with this site and it’s development.
Love you all. Hate seeing this season end like this, but there’s more to come for Hortiz/Harbaugh.
I appreciate the kind words Erick. I think it was pretty lackluster on my end – I really hope to grow this thing out more and have more articles and content for everyone, but it was our start and I’ll learn and grow from here. I’m extremely grateful to have Ryan posting KILLER schematic breakdowns that I really don’t think you can find anywhere else, and I hope to BRING IT in the offseason as that’s way more my wheelhouse than the in-season stuff.
We’re only just starting, but I can’t tell you how much the patience of you and our base here means to me.
Kyle. What a hell of a year for Storm Cloud. A big hat tip to you, Ryan, the TDU trio, and all who have made this an astonishing rookie year. I hurt a whole lot about this Chargers loss today, but it’s comforting to know we all have a small and growing home thanks to your dedication, time, and care for this site. We’re a week too early to talk about the offseason for my liking , but here we are, and here I’ll be. Eyes on the horizon, and all will be fine.
I appreciate you brother, and the comment I posted below is echoed right back at you.
By the way, did you ever try to change the username back, or are you happy being Smith? 🙂
I’ve been happy being a smith my whole life. Why should we change this now? Also, I have a number of different ideas as to how I can contribute more to this site moving forward. Let me lick my bolt wounds for a week or two and I’ll get on it.
I still think this was the least Harbaugh and company have to offer this team. What a hell of a year to take a 5-win team with no money into the playoffs in one year, especially with Kansas City in the way. This offseason, with some money, with some direction, even with a depleted roster, should be a good one. I’ll be right here for all of it.
Just a thought, did they have good days of practice this week? Air must have been totally foul to breathe. Maybe it had an effect? (Defense seemed ok though)
Yeah I mentioned it too, but defense generally is the higher performing unit all season.
Just my two cents – if it was a big enough problem, it would have been very easy to practice a couple hours away and be out of any air quality issues
Yeah probably, but mentally distracting too possibly.
This might be blasphemy, but what if the playoff stage is to big for Herbert? Worst game of the year today and he wasn’t all world vs Jags either. Not saying it is, just proposing the question. At this point it has to be on the table.
I hate to say it but, it might not be blasphemy. His INTs came because he was too hot for a wide open McConkey, too hot for a wide open Dissly. He refused to run when he had wide open turf in front of him. Some of this comes from Roman, but a whole lot comes from Herbert himself. I love the dude, no doubt. And I know wind aren’t a QB stat. But he bears a lot on those mighty shoulders.
I hope to do some writing on this at some point, but Herberts in a weird position.
He’s too exciting and talented for a team to let go of. He’s guaranteed to sell tickets, draw a crowd, do things that drop jaws.
He also might not have the ability to read plays pre-snap, identify the blitz, and make adjustments necessary to elevate himself above an opposing teams game plan.
I don’t want this to be the case, but after tonight’s game, I am genuinely worried that we might be in QB purgatory. A high ring of it, but purgatory nonetheless.
If Harbaugh can make Alex Smith shine, I’m sure he can help Herbert improve his weaknesses too.
Hey… you sound like a Niners fan. (Hahaha.)
If we could get Rivers to coach him up a bit
@evolz3737
It isn’t blasphemy for someone who has only taken his team twice to the playoffs in 5 seasons and failed to perform up to expectation in both. We aren’t talking here about Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jackson, or Burrow. We need to stop comparing Herbert to these elite QB’s until he proves it, and this isn’t an over reaction.
Herbert’s performance tonight was something I was nervous it could happen. His clock got sped quickly which led to poor decision making early and throughout the game. There were some miss reads and misses on when he could have stepped in to his throw to avoid the rush and to buy more time to complete his throws. At times, he forgot to use his legs.
You have to wonder what, if any, lasting effects there will be from this – on Herbert and on the team.
This wasn’t just a hard-fought loss, it was a meltdown. New coach, new staff, new attitude, lots of money spent, yada yada yada.
Same result.
Completely agree. The offense had opportunities early to put the game out of reach and completely shit the bed.
Don’t worry we will win at least 5 games next year since we only beat bad teams. We play Raiders 2x, Giants, Jags and Titans.
Another Greg Roman master class.
Agree, but the defense gave up 32 points and couldn’t stop shit. And the special teams gave up 2 blocked kicks.
Out-coached in every phase.
OK – a couple statements about the 2024 Chargers season:
Well it turns out it’s a bitter end. God damn I really hoped for Herbert to have a good game today. So sad..
You hafta wonder if there’s something wrong with him we don’t know about. Maybe he’s sick? I think this is the worst game I’ve seen him play, and I follow the Ducks.
He was very off today and his body language seemed so lackluster. Could very well be something wrong. I don’t think we would ever know that even if he was though.
For now the narrative that he chokes in big games/the playoffs is very much alive. Hopefully he can get a chance to redeem himself next season with a little bit more help.
Haha, now they start giving the Chargers a call. A QB sneak on 4th to put the nail in the coffin
He got it.
We need yet another play from this D
didn’t get it
Nah, can’t blame them. They have done more thant their part
What in the holy hell is going on? You get a miracle TD, then Dicker, longtime hero, does that?
And now the special teams shit the bed
Two blocks in this game. Comical.
Fire Ficken! 😉
With that I can not agree. Ficken fucking Fiking is a great ST coordinator 🙂
Ok, “fire Ficken” means the gin has taken hold. Love it.
I did put a wink after it…..
Does anyone think Greg Roman survives this?
I don’t know, but the common denominator with our postseason woes hasn’t been Roman, sadly.
Yeah this game doesn’t make me feel that Harbaugh is gonna send away his buddy
I just sent my resume, in case.
Because of course.
Bozeman what the fuck are you doing
Lol what the fuck is this
On a related note, the use of the verb “Chargering” has been revived and is expected to be in wide use during the coming off-season.
My least favorite verb has new relevance.
So Will Dissly is one of the main factors of us losing this game?
3 score game incoming. Ugh.
This is a total ass-whoopin from the Texans. Different from the Ravens & Steelers ass kicking, this is a coach kick in the nuts.
Same stupid shit on offense. Heavy packages that never work. Inability to throw to a WR not named Ladd. Defense can’t get off the field on 3rd down.
OK, jet lagged, drinking gin. Not going to take this torture much longer….
It’s weird Kev, because I still believe the fldefense has played fantastic
They are just getting *no* offensive support.
Wow. A complete and total ass-whuppin’. I did not expect this.
3 INTs all seaon, and 3 in this game.
Regression to the mean is a fucking bitch
And now the defense is gonna fold. Poor bastards
God damn it. It would be classic shit if they score a quick TD now and then the defense gives up a 7 minute TD drive where Mixon just runs them into submission
2 yardd run up the middle coming up
Nostradamus!
Ulp.
Be prepared. Herbert will no longer be mentioned in any discussions of top-tier QBs.
This is a playoff choke job for the books.
I would love to blame Roman (and I do), but Justin needs to shoulder some of this blame.
I hate to say it, but I’m not giving any blame to an OC this time around.
We’ve had too many different OC’s, with the same complaints.
Herbert needs to turn it around himself. If he can’t, he deserves every bit of the blame for this loss that gets thrown around.
This defense played LIGHTS OUT, and as it stands, Herbert has scored more points for HOU than for LAC.
Unfortunately, rightfully so. He’s going to have to play his way back into that discussion. This fucking sucks.
Wow, Narrative around Herbert is gonna suck balls. He will have earned it unfortunately
I can’t believe what I’m watching.
I hate that I feel this way, but I’m so disappointed in Herbert right now.
Same here. It fucking sucks that they are not making any adjustments with regards to playcalling but he simply has to do more and better
Agree Kyle – Unfortunately. He has one more quarter to prove himself.
Fair criticism, especially now
That’s it as I type this.
Justin Herbert: 10/23, 118 yds, 1 INT
Absolutely brutal
Not a championship stat line.
Zero pass protection.
I’ve seen this movie before. The Chargers have accepted that they’re going to lose.
The offense has. Let’s hope the defense still has something left
DD was hit out of bounds, but whatever.
It’s over
Patience. Lots can happen in the 4th.
Greg Roman, we are not asking greatness. Just be ok and this game is ours.
Well, that was the bare minimum, but…it’s still a one score game.
WTF is wrong with herbert? He looks like he’s resigned to losing.
He needs to snap the fuck out of it.
Herbert’s body language already looking very troublesome. Why does this hurt so much?
Finally starting to call some holding
These Texans are getting all the breaks
Oh my fucking god
The offense needs to figure out how to score TDs. Now is the time to pull out your counters to what the Texans have been doing.
The defense needs to stop allowing chunk plays.
Adjustments. If this is a better staff, prove it.
Again, headed to the bar now (one bottle of wine in, going for some Aussie gin I brought back now). Not responsible for any comments from this point forward.
Let the gin speak freely. We wouldn’t want any less.
You may regret that statement….
What! Incomplete? You’re fucking kidding.
No way right?
First downs, momentum. Herbert runs. LFG!
DJ with a game saver!!!!
That’s exactly right. The Texans were about to put this one away, no shit.
The route is on?
Derwin say no!
Defense is really doing everything in their power to keep us in the game. Please offense, start doing your part
Needed that so much Derwin!