Chargers struggling to serve and protect

Justin Herbert could glimpse at the Chargers’ “See the lightning, Feel the thunder” branding above the field-level suites as his offensive linemen pulled him up on the SoFi Stadium turf.

- BENJAMIN ROYER

QUARTERBACK Justin Herbert (10) was sacked five times in the Chargers' loss to the Texans on Saturday.

Herbert certainly felt the thunder against the Texans. The NFL's top defense recorded 26 pressures as it swarmed through the Chargers’ offensive line en route to a 20-16 win Saturday.

And Herbert saw the lightning, best represented by second-string defensive end Derek Barnett’s back-to-back sacks to halt the Chargers’ first drive of the second half.

The latter of Barnett’s take downs — part of the Texans’ five sacks and eight tackles for loss—came when he spun past Bobby Hart and brought down Herbert for a seven-yard loss.

"I mean, it’s just football,” Hart said when asked if he was dwelling on Barnett’s pair of sacks or losing a one-on-one against Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter in the first quarter that left Herbert grimacing and favoring his surgically repaired left hand.

Hart added: "People make plays defenders, guys, catch the ball.