Chargers 40, Patriots 7
Q. Justin, to be back in the playoffs, what does it mean?
JH: It's a testament to all the hard work we've put in this offseason and the way things have gone. It's been an honor to play alongside this team. We had a huge opportunity tonight, and we went out and took it.
Q. Jim called your performance nearly flawless today. All your decisions. What made it click for you guys?
JH: I think we had a great plan. All week, we knew how big of a game this was for us, and guys were dialed in, focused, and we executed today. It was awesome to see. We were on it from the protection to the routes to the run game. I thought all three phases showed up today, and that was huge for us.
Q. Ladd has been all over the field this year. He broke a couple records. You have most yards for a guy in the first five years in the league. What's gotten to you guys last few weeks?
JH: He's just such a tough player. He's a playmaker, and he finds ways to get open. He has done such a great job of battling injuries and being out there for us. On third down, anytime we go out there, he's a threat. All I have to do is get him the ball, and he makes my job so much easier.
Q. What kind of impact did having JK Dobbins out there?
JH: Yeah, huge. It's so tough to lose a guy like that for a couple of weeks, but I thought we did a great job of holding it down while he was gone. He came back and brings so much energy and so much to our run game. He's great out of the backfield and the pass game too. I think one of the most under appreciated aspects of this game is his protection. He does such a great job on third downs, picking up blitzes. He knows exactly what he's doing, and he's really well coached. It's great to have a guy like that back.
Q. A day like this, all three phases, what does a day like this mean for you guys in confidence heading to postseason?
JH: Yeah. A lot. I think you take a look at the game and, like you said, all three phases showed up today. That's the type of football we want to be playing in December, January, and hopefully on. That's the type of football you want to be playing, especially in these big games like that. It was really good to see.
Q. Is that a no elevators hat?
JH: It is, courtesy of Simi Fahoco. I appreciate it.
Q. That's forever ago, the no elevators thing. But how do you feel like moments like that galvanize the team, brought the team together to allow you to stand in this moment now?
JH: Yeah. I think we talked about it a couple weeks ago, how close this team has come together. I think everyone plays for each other. They play for the coaches and they obviously play for the Chargers fan base as well. It means a lot to us. It means a lot to everyone in the locker room. You go out and play on Saturday and Sunday and it shows, and it was really good to see from those guys.
Q. I saw you greeting fans after the game what did that moment mean to you to have that shared experience?
JH: Yeah, it was just cool to see. We're a long way away from Los Angeles, and to have Chargers fans out here representing, it was really good to see. I wanted to thank them, sign a couple of autographs and just say hi because it's a long trip. Whether they're out here or whether they're from L.A., we got to do everything we can for those guys.
Q. Justin, what makes Ladd so effective as a wide receiver?
JH: He's just got such a great understanding of the game. He's so physically gifted, and he's got great understanding of defenses and how people play them. He finds ways to get open. I've talked about it all year. He's one of the guys on third down, you've got to find him. He'll find a way to get open.
Q. There's been a lot of talk this week about how he was drafted. The Patriots traded you guys. Was there an effort to get him the ball and show the Patriots what they're missing?
JH: I actually didn't know about that. We just went out and did our business. There's probably no hard feelings. He's a very talented player. Thankful to have him on our team. He's certainly made my job easier. Just go through your reads. In he's open, he's open and you get him the ball.
Q. Did you get a chance to talk to Drake after the game today? If so, what did you tell him at the time? What did you see from him?
JH: Just in passing, just saw him after the game. Didn't rally get to spend much time, but he's obviously very talented. He's an incredible quarterback and I'm going to enjoy watching him for years to come.
Q. There's been a lot of connections to him and you kind of having a similar skill set. If you were to think about one thing that sticks out to you your rookie season, your second season, what's helped you develop, what would you say that is?
JH: I would saw it's always the next play mentality. Especially my rookie year, we struggled. It was tough. It made me who I am today. As long as you're playing the next play, it's all about that. Whether I throw an incompletion, interception, I can't let that last play affect my next one. And those guys in the locker room, in the huddle especially, they require my best effort. As long as I do that I can hold my head up high.
Q. In terms of the coaching and the roster and everything, since your rookie season, since your second season, how has that kind of helped you to where you are now?
JH: I think Coach Harbaugh and our general manager, Joe Ortiz, have done such a great job of getting the right guys here. You look in the locker room and everybody plays for each other. I talked about it briefly. The respect we have for everyone in the building, in our locker room, the coaching staff, player personnel staff, it's been an honor to play for them, alongside them, because everyone is doing their best, and it showed today.
Q. Jim takes attention off him and credits the players. What kind of impact does he have, his energy?
JH: He's been everything. Those guys in the locker room respect him so much. They want to do right by him and make him proud. The way he cares about this team, all the individuals as well. He's a competitor, and he wants to win no matter what it is. It definitely shows, and it's the way everyone fights for him, wants to play for him, and respects him.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports