OK, so the competition was what it was, which wasn’t elite, but the Chargers’ offense sizzled during their three-game winning streak to end the regular season. They scored 34 points in a victory over the Denver Broncos, dropped 40 on the New England Patriots and another 34 on the Las Vegas Raiders. That’s – let’s see here – 108 total points for an average of 36 points per game during the most important stretch of the season to date. It’s quite a departure from the middling offense the Charger put on the field for the first 14 games of the season, which averaged a modest 21 points per game. Here’s what we learned, what we heard and what comes next after the Chargers turned a 10-9 deficit late in the first half into a 34-20 victory over the Raiders on Sunday in Las Vegas, clinching the fifth seed in the AFC and a date with the fourth-seeded Houston Texans on Saturday: HERBERT HEATS UP Quarterback Justin Herbert completed his fifth regular season on quite the heater, completing 77 of 105 passes (73.3%) for 911 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception in his final three games. His completion percentage was well above his season and career averages of 65.9% and 66.5%. Too many numbers to digest? Well, let’s just say Herbert is clicking with his wide receivers, tight ends and running backs at the right time. The Chargers’ offense, under first-year coordinator Greg Roman, is firing on all cylinders going into Saturday’s wild-card game against the Texans at Houston’s NRG Stadium. What’s changed? Herbert is healthy again. Or what passes for healthy, anyway. After plantar fascia and ankle injuries, Herbert appears to be sound again. What’s more, he has formed strong connections with receivers Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey, tight end Will Dissly and running back J.K. Dobbins. The big question is whether receiver Joshua Palmer (foot) and running back Gus Edwards (ankle) will be cleared to play against Houston. If the Chargers were in search of reliable replacements for sure-handed veteran receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, who were jettisoned during the offseason in separate cost-cutting moves, then they have found them in Johnston and McConkey and, when healthy, Palmer, too. Johnston set career highs with 13 catches for 186 yards on Sunday, and McConkey caught five passes for 95 yards. Herbert threw for 346 yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders. “Ideally, that’s when we’re at our best offensively,” Herbert said Sunday of having his choice of trusted receivers, tight ends and running backs. “It’s having all those guys, and having Ladd on third down, having (Johnston) and (Dissly), and even the running game we’ve had and putting those pieces together. “When we’re able to do that, we’re playing our best football.” O-LINE WORRIES Left tackle Rashawn Slater was a late scratch for Sunday’s game because of knee discomfort during the pregame warmup. Rookie Joe Alt flipped from right tackle to left tackle to replace Slater. Trey Pipkins III shifted from right guard to right tackle and Jamaree Salyer took Pipkins’ spot at right guard. Foster Sarell then replaced Pipkins after Pipkins was injured in the second half and Sam Mustipher also filled in on the line after the Chargers built a 21-point lead late in the game. The Chargers were content to use their depth as the game turned one-sided in the second half. More information will be available on Slater and Pipkins when the Chargers return to the practice field Tuesday. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Sunday he expected Slater would undergo an MRI on his knee Monday, the results of which would be available later in the week. WHAT COMES NEXT The fifth-seeded Chargers (11-6) face the fourth-seeded Texans (10-7) in an AFC wild-card game Saturday afternoon in Houston. The teams have never faced each other in the playoffs, but the Chargers took a 34-24 victory over the Texans in a regular-season game Oct. 2, 2022 in Houston. The Chargers advanced to the playoffs this season for only the third time since moving to Los Angeles from San Diego before the 2017 season. They won a wild-card game and lost in the division round following the 2018 season and lost in epic fashion in a wild-card game after the 2022 season.