Las Vegas Raiders Media Conference

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

San Diego Chargers

Coach Jim Harbaugh

Press Conference


Chargers - 34, Raiders - 20

Q. Jim, getting 11 wins, getting the fifth seed, what does it mean for your team?

JIM HARBAUGH: Yeah, that start of the new season, really proud of the way the team played starting with the quarterback. And I'm not going to say unbelievable because I believe it, because I see it every day, but there were throws that he was making that were -- I mean, 15-yard throws, 30-yard throws, 45-yard throws, that were like handoffs. They were right where you would put it if you were handing the ball off on a running play. Just incredible. Incredible game by him.

Incredible game, Quentin Johnston -- 13 catches, 186 yards, contested catches, tough catches, SportsCenter highlight catches. He really had it all. Run after catch.

I thought Ladd was amazing as well, near 100 yards and some great run after catch. It was so good.

Really thought Joe Alt did a great job switching positions pregame. And so did Trey Pipkins. And hats off to Foster Sarell, too, who really did a great job.

Daiyan Henley, that was huge. You talk about momentum, big play, been doing it all year. He's had an incredible season.

And Derwin James and Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree, just great jobs by them, incredible games. Competitors, competitors, we've said it from the beginning, and they are incredible competitors, the way the team played.

Q. With Quentin, what does it say about him that he was sort of able to come back from that drop that he had in the Ravens game and put together a performance like this in a big game?

JIM HARBAUGH: He's been playing at a high level all season. He's an incredible competitor, that's what it says about him. The talent, effort, his toughness, he brings a level of toughness to our team that is at a very high level. And great performance. He's been doing quite a bit of that. He's a great player.

Q. You mentioned the Daiyan interception. How much of a turning point was that?

JIM HARBAUGH: That was huge. We were able to get the score before the half and then set us in position to get a touchdown and get that many points before the half, right after the half, that middle part of the ball game. But that was a huge momentum play. And a great play, just a great play.

There's a lot of pass catchers that, playing in the professional level, that may not have made that play. But he did. And he's had an all star season. He's had a Pro Bowl season. He's going from shining star to superstar. I think he's reached it and playing his best football.

And I would say that for our team. The team is in a great place right now. Feel like in a great place starting this playoff season. And we'll turn our attention back to that.

Q. The defense obviously, top-scoring defense in the NFL, playing well all year. Have you been impressed by what Jesse has done and the group as a whole?

JIM HARBAUGH: Yeah, probably is, we held onto that. Top scoring defense.

Q. I think so, yeah.

JIM HARBAUGH: I would say the same about Jesse as I've said about Justin. It's unbelievable -- it would be unbelievable to many, but I believe it because I know it, been around him, seen what a tremendous coach he is and what a great job, what he's done. He's a superstar. Not a surprise, but it is unbelievable what he's been able to do.

Q. With Rashawn, we were told he tweaked his knee stretching or -- he felt some discomfort. Keeping him out, was that an abundance of caution type thing or is there more to it for his knee?

JIM HARBAUGH: Just that during stretch he felt something and wasn't going to play. The trainers said, the doctor said we're not going to play. That's all I know. That's as much as I know is what Josh told you.

Q. Something you'll be monitoring this week heading into Houston?

JIM HARBAUGH: I'll go out on a limb and say we'll get an MRI as soon as we possibly can.

Q. What was the mindset in the last 18 hours, once the Steelers lose and you know you can get the five, what was the vibe around the team this morning?

JIM HARBAUGH: This morning? I mean, our guys were dead set -- we talked about at the beginning of the week, they want to win. They want to play good and win. Today they played great and won. I don't think the vibe was any different. It's been a consistent vibe.

Q. What have you seen from the Texans?

JIM HARBAUGH: Really good. Started to look, and defensively really good, really good against the run. A lot of people running the ball on them, and they're playing really well in the back end.

C.J. Stroud is elite. Collins, elite. They've got great playmakers, great competitors, and we gotta take our A game and turn all our focus and preparation toward the Texans.

Q. Everything you guys accomplished this season, all the ups and downs you've been through, how do you think it's all prepared you guys to play postseason football?

JIM HARBAUGH: I think we're in a good place. The fellows are ready to roll.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
151787-1-1045 2025-01-06 01:03:00 GMT

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