It only took 1 playoff game for Chargers fans to see what Ravens fans already knew

The Baltimore Ravens know Greg Roman all too well, and they could have told the Los Angeles Chargers what was coming. After a disastrous 32-12 Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans, it’s clear that Roman’s offense—and its glaring limitations—has once again stifled a franchise quarterback’s playoff hopes.

Justin Herbert, a quarterback hailed as one of the NFL’s brightest stars, threw a career-high four interceptions against Houston. The Texans defense didn’t just pick him apart; they humiliated him with a pick-six, relentless pressure, and a game plan that forced Roman’s offense into its usual, predictable collapse. Herbert’s stat line? 14 completions on 32 attempts, 242 yards, one touchdown, four picks, and a passer rating of 40.9.

Sound familiar, Ravens fans?

If you’ve been following Greg Roman’s career, you know this script. Roman, the mastermind behind Baltimore’s electric rushing offenses from 2019 to 2022, has always struggled when the stakes are highest. His schemes, dynamic as they may be on the ground, have a glaring Achilles’ heel: the passing game. And now, it’s Chargers fans who are feeling the pain of Roman’s limitations.

LA Chargers OC Greg Roman is 'can't teach an old dog new tricks' meme

Greg Roman’s offenses are built to run over defenses, not run up the score when it matters most. The Chargers ranked 28th in passing attempts per game this season—dead last among AFC playoff teams—and their lack of balance was exposed in Houston.

Roman’s play-calling was as predictable as ever: run the ball to death and hope your quarterback can save you on third-and-long.

On Saturday, when Houston dared Roman’s offense to throw, chaos ensued. Three straight Gus Edwards runs in the red zone? Sure. A whip route to Quentin Johnston on fourth-and-2, where the receiver doesn’t even run past the marker? Classic Roman. These are the head-scratching decisions Ravens fans know all too well, and now Chargers fans are waking up to them as well.

But this isn’t just about Roman’s playbook. It’s about his history of stifling quarterbacks. Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, spent years trying to shed the “he can't win in the playoffs” label, a narrative fueled by Roman’s inability to develop a sophisticated passing attack.

Now, Herbert—a quarterback celebrated for his arm talent—is being asked to thrive in a system that barely lets him throw.

Herbert deserves some of the blame for Saturday’s meltdown. Four interceptions and a 40.9 passer rating are inexcusable, no matter who’s calling the plays. But it’s impossible to ignore the parallels between his struggles and those of Jackson under Roman. Ravens fans warned anyone who would listen: Roman’s offenses can win in the regular season, but in the playoffs, they fold.

For Chargers fans, the question is whether this will be a one-and-done experiment or if Roman will get another season to “figure things out.” If Saturday’s debacle is any indication, it won’t be long before the calls for his firing grow louder.

Baltimore may have moved on from Roman, but his legacy of playoff heartbreak has followed him to Los Angeles. The Ravens know all too well what happens when Roman’s offense hits its ceiling. Now, the Chargers are learning that lesson the hard way.

As usual, social media had its moment, calling out Roman for robbing the Charger of a competent offense. Chargers fans didn’t hold back after the loss, and many were quick to point fingers at Greg Roman. Here’s what some fans had to say:

Old dog, new tricks:

We tried to tell you:

Good luck, indeed:

It's that predictable:

Feels very familiar... (cough, cough):

Gotta get those steps in:

For years under Roman, Lamar Jackson was getting bashed by the media about how he was a playoff no-show. Well, fast-forward to this postseason, and Lamar looked excellent without Roman while Herbert...

The fallout in Los Angeles is just beginning, but Ravens fans will be watching with a knowing smirk.

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