The Los Angeles Chargers completely self-destructed on Saturday during their 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. However, one player stood out in a positive way.
Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who has exceeded the expectations most anyone had for him in year one, had a huge game that will go down in the NFL record books. It was one of the best games a receiver has ever had in the playoffs but as far as rookies go, it was the best.
McConkey caught nine passes for 197 yards in the game, breaking the record for most receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff game. The record was held by Puka Nacua, who just set it last year when he had 181 yards receiving against the Detroit Lions.
A huge portion of McConkey’s output came on this 86-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.
McConkey had already broken some team records this season and is among the first things fans should point to when talking about the positive future of this team.
Ladd McConkey sets NFL record for rookie receiving yards in the playoffs
Only Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas had more yards receiving in their postseason debut but neither of them were rookies when they accomplished that. McConkey’s 197 yards on Saturday rank among the best receiving games in postseason history.
Top 12 most receiving yards in a playoff game
| Player | Team | Date | Opponent | Receiving Yards |
| Eric Moulds | Buffalo | 1/2/1999 | Miami | 240 |
| Anthony Carter | Minnesota | 1/9/1988 | San Francisco | 227 |
| T.Y. Hilton | Indianapolis | 1/4/2014 | Kansas City | 224 |
| Reggie Wayne | Indianapolis | 1/9/2005 | Denver | 221 |
| Steve Smith | Carolina | 1/15/2006 | Chicago | 218 |
| Jerry Rice | San Francisco | 1/22/1989 | Cincinnati | 215 |
| Calvin Johnson | Detroit | 1/7/2012 | New Orleans | 211 |
| Demaryius Thomas | Denver | 1/8/2012 | Pittsburgh | 204 |
| Gabe Davis | Buffalo | 1/23/2022 | Kansas City | 201 |
| Tom Fears | L.A. Rams | 12/17/1950 | Chicago | 198 |
| Ladd McConkey | L.A. Chargers | 1/11/2025 | Houston | 197 |
| Ricky Sanders | Washington | 1/31/1988 | Denver | 193 |
It was a tough loss for the Chargers but there is plenty to build on with McConkey. If they can find a legitimate wide receiver or two to pair with him this offseason, Justin Herbert will have a chance to find much more success next season than he did on Saturday.
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