The Chargers have been disappointing for several seasons, even with Justin Herbert on board. Several team members need to look in the mirror and despite his immense talent, their quarterback is also part of the problem.
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That statement may seem harsh considering Herbert has thrown 31, 38 and 25 touchdown passes over the last three seasons. Since arriving in the NFL in 2020, he has established himself and quickly climbed onto the podium reserved for the league’s best quarterbacks.
In his second season, he reached the 5,000-yard plateau, a feat achieved by only nine other centers in history. He has the build, features, intelligence and arm to be a rare talent.
What remains unclear at the moment is that we still don’t know if he has the famous gene to shine in big moments, like the greatest in this world.
Difficult endings to games
Justin Herbert has been the victim of 18 interceptions in the fourth quarter and overtime. Getty Images via AFP
If you look at the Chargers and feel like they’re always walking the fine line between winning and losing, that’s no illusion.
This season there have been three losses by a margin of three points or less and two wins by one possession. So we’re a hair’s breadth away from talking about the Chargers as an undefeated team or a team looking for its first win.
The story has been similar since Herbert was selected in the first round of the 2020 draft. He’s been involved in 38 one-possession games since his debut, and his 18-20 record in that context isn’t spectacular.
When we take a closer look at the Chargers’ three losses this fall, it’s clear that the young 25-year-old quarterback had the opportunity to lead his team to victory each time.
Against the Dolphins, he inherited the ball with 1:45 left. In the final sequence, he was penalized for intentionally getting rid of the ball and also took two sacks, and his team’s hopes faded.
Against the Titans, the Chargers started overtime with the ball, but three incomplete passes allowed the opponent to regain possession and start the winning push.
Last Monday, against the Cowboys, Herbert’s last pass attempt was intercepted with the ball with 2:19 left.
Since the beginning of his career, Herbert has his worst ratio of touchdown passes to interceptions in the fourth quarter (28 versus 16).
Multiple culprits
Brandon Staley has a record of 21 wins and 18 losses at the helm of the Chargers. Getty Images via AFP
The question isn’t whether Justin Herbert is a good quarterback or not. There’s no arguing that, and at 25 years old he still has some big years ahead of him. The fact is, however, that he still needs to improve his skills in order to be among the elite in his field.
However, it would be foolish to think that he is the one responsible for the misfortune that the Chargers have experienced for too long.
Right now, it’s fair to wonder if Herbert could reach the next level with an offensive guru as his head coach rather than Brandon Staley.
Especially since Staley specializes in defense, the Chargers are giving up 289 air yards per game this season, the worst total in the league.
Only two teams in the league have invested more than the $142 million the Chargers paid for their defensive players. It’s time to make it pay off!
In short, Herbert is part of the solution and it would be illogical to label him as the main scapegoat. There’s every reason to believe he’s still one of those rare quarterbacks who can change the fortunes of a franchise.
But unless he takes that extra step to win big games, the Chargers will be doomed to just being a good little team.
WEEK 7
THURSDAY
MY CHOICE
Jacksonville to New Orleans JAGUARS
SUNDAY
MY DECISIONS
Detroit to Baltimore (1 p.m.) LIONS
Las Vegas to Chicago (1:00 p.m.) robber
Cleveland to Indianapolis (1:00 p.m.) BROWN
Buffalo in New England (1 p.m.) BILLS
Washington at the NY Giants (1 p.m.) COMMANDERS
Atlanta at Tampa Bay (1 p.m.) PRIVATE
Pittsburgh at LA Rams (4:05 p.m.) RAMS
Arizona at Seattle (4:05 p.m.) SEAHAWKS
Green Bay to Denver (4:25 p.m.) PACKER
LA Chargers at Kansas City (4:25 p.m.) Chiefs
Miami at Philadelphia (8:20 p.m.) DOLPHINS
MONDAY
MY CHOICE
San Francisco to Minnesota (8:15 p.m.) 49ERS
*Teams furloughed: Jets, Bengals, Texans, Titans, Cowboys, Panthers
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS: 11 out of 15 (73.3%)
OVERALL THIS SEASON: 62 out of 93 (66.7%)
THE CHOICES OF NEWSPAPER
Detroit Lions (5-1) vs. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
GOFF is on fire
Right now, Jared Goff is moving too quickly for the opposition. Getty Images via AFP
The Lions have never won in Baltimore (0-3) and have been humiliated by an average of 26 points each time! This was long before Jared Goff turned into Superman. In his last 17 games, the Lions quarterback has completed 67.6% of his passes for 4,473 yards, 29 touchdowns and four interceptions. The Ravens rank second against the pass (163.2 yards per game) but faced two quarterbacks (CJ Stroud and Dorian Thompson-Robinson), Kenny Pickett, Gardner Minshew and the injured Ryan Tannehill in their first starts. Lions at 2
Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) vs. Chicago Bears (1-5)
A FIRST START
After seeing action last Sunday, Tyson Bagent will start his first game. Getty Images via AFP
It’s the duel of the substitutes, with Jimmy Garoppolo and Justin Fields on the sidelines. Tyson Bagent takes over for Chicago and will make his first start, likely over veteran Brian Hoyer. Bagent was extremely productive in the NCAA with a record 159 touchdown passes, but before you get too excited, know that it was at Shepherd University in Division 2. Maybe he’ll make life less fun with Maxx Crosby breathing down his neck and then put him on a peat diet. Raiders at 6
Cleveland Browns (3-2) vs. Indianapolis Colts (3-3)
A defense that scares
Sione Takitaki and the Browns defensive brigade give opponents nothing. Getty Images via AFP
Will Deshaun Watson return to the game? Who knows! Worst case scenario, PJ Walker just has to do the minimum. So far, the defense has taken control, giving up just 1,002 yards, the third-lowest total in history through five games. Four of the Bruns’ five opponents conceded an offensive touchdown or less. The Browns have lost the turnover battle in their five games but still look good, which is a testament to the quality of their roster. Gardner Minshew and the Colts will die. Browns at 4
Buffalo Bills (4-2) vs. New England Patriots (1-5)
SAD PATRIOTS…
Mac Jones and the Patriots get beaten down more often. Getty Images via AFP
The bills are the definition of inconsistent. After scoring at least 37 points in three straight games, they have been limited to 20 points or fewer the last two weeks. Stefon Diggs is still too much of a focus in the Air Raid, being targeted 16 times on Sunday compared to 12 for all other receivers. But hey, in the eyes of patriots, these are the problems of the rich. The team doesn’t score points and is the worst in the league with a turnover rate of -8. Mac Jones, still with a rope, will end up strangling himself with…Bills by 10
Washington Commanders (3-3) vs. New York Giants (1-5)
TRAP MATCH
Kamren Curl and Benjamin St-Juste in the win against the Falcons last Sunday. Getty Images via AFP
On paper, the Commanders are the favorites, but that’s not so obvious. Before Sunday’s win, they had suffered three straight losses, including a 20-point loss to the Bears. That’s not exactly the sign of a great team. The Giants are in serious trouble, but their defense looked good against the Bills. Ultimately, however, it was impossible to trust their abysmal offensive line to withstand the commanders’ defensive front. The Giants are not very opportunistic (30th in profit). Orders by March 3rd
Atlanta Falcons (3-3) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)
CRUEL ON THE ROAD
Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder doesn’t have much room for error anymore. Getty Images via AFP
Even if I repeat myself: The Falcons are building a good team, but are limited by the unpredictable play of their quarterback Desmond Ridder. The bad news for them is that things are even worse on the streets. Ridder still doesn’t have a road win (0-4) and he’s only thrown one touchdown pass outside of Atlanta. The Falcons have lost all four of their starts while averaging 10 points per game. Ridder may be young, but we increasingly believe that Taylor Heinicke will rise again. Again…Buccaneers by 1
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) vs. Los Angeles Rams (3-3)
MYSTERIOUS STEEL
Mike Tomlin has a habit of preparing his team well after a bye. Getty Images via AFP
On one hand, the Steelers have the defensive front to abuse questionable offensive lines, which should give them an advantage over the Rams. On the other hand, they are giving up 245.6 passing yards and good aerial attacks are cutting them up, which should benefit the Rams. Note that Mike Tomlin has an excellent 12-4 record after a bye week, which should benefit the Steelers. However, his team is 3-7 on the West Coast since 2007, which should benefit the Rams. Take the statistic that excites you! Rams at 3
Arizona Cardinals (1-5) vs. Seattle Seahawks (3-2)
A GENEROUS DEFENSE
The Cardinals defense is often in catch-up mode. Getty Images via AFP
The Cardinals appear to be the Cardinals we expected before the season. Their defense is more holed than that of the French army on the Plains of Abraham in 1759. Mind the poolers, it’s been a feast for the opposing receivers lately. Brandon Aiyuk (6 receptions, 148 yards), Ja’Marr Chase (15 receptions, 192 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Cooper Kupp (7 receptions, 148 yards, 1 touchdown) emptied the buffet. There must be some food left for DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Seahawks at 9
Green Bay Packers (2-3) vs. Denver Broncos (1-5)
A possible awakening?
Quarterback Russell Wilson and head coach Sean Payton need to find solutions in Denver. Getty Images via AFP
The Broncos are effectively returning from a bye after not playing in 10 days. However, they’ve been on vacation for eight years now and that doesn’t help matters. They have the luxury of working at home again, but again, they are 0-3 in Denver. One thing you have to give them, their defense pulled itself together in the last matchup against the Chiefs and the Packers are within reach. The latter have not scored more than 20 points in the last three games. Ah, and no, I’m no longer falling into the trap…Packer at 4
Los Angeles Chargers (2-3) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)
The big duel is coming
Another big duel is coming up between Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes. Getty Images via AFP
Will the Chiefs’ sadistic dominance over the clubs in their division continue? They are 27-4 since Patrick Mahomes was the starting quarterback and have won their last 12. They have won the last three times against the Chargers by an average of 30.3 points, but these duels ended by six points or less. The Chargers can compete very well, but the Chiefs give up the second-lowest total points (14.7 per game) and the fifth-lowest total yards (284 per game). Chiefs by 2
Miami Dolphins (5-1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (5-1)
SHOCK AT THE SUMMIT
Jalen Hurts will look to find his touch again after a difficult game against the Jets. Getty Images via AFP
The natural instinct was to pick the Eagles because they had a defensive front that could dominate the Dolphins’ offensive line very well. However, this front will have to play spectacularly because the Eagles will be outplayed in the tertiary area. It’s anything but ideal against the Dolphins’ explosive receivers. However, the Eagles are champions at home, with a record of 11-2 in their last 13 home games. One reason for concern is that Jalen Hurts now has seven interceptions after only throwing six last season. Dolphins at 3
San Francisco 49ers (5-1) vs. Minnesota Vikings (2-4)
LIFE WITHOUT JEFFERSON
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins will have to do without his top target for a few weeks. Getty Images via AFP
A tough, tough life for the Vikings without their ace receiver Justin Jefferson! They beat the Bears but gained just 220 yards, their lowest total of the season. However, the Bears allowed the eighth-highest total before this game. The 49ers are infinitely stingier and risk massacring Kirk Cousins all evening. It’s already known that the Vikings quarterback isn’t keen on prime-time games… Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams are still watchable and uncertain cases among the 49ers. 49ers par 7