Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers capped a successful regular season by earning a 34–20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18. Jim Harbaugh's team took a bit to wake up and was trailing 10–9 late in the second quarter when Herbert found DJ Chark for a touchdown pass.

The Chargers beat the New England Patriots 40-7 to clinch their first playoff berth since 2022, which will be their third postseason appearance in 11 seasons.

Herbert completed 77 of 105 passes (73.3%) for 911 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception in his last three games.

The Los Angeles Chargers will be looking for the X-factor against the Houston Texans, and it won't be Justin Herbert.