Justin Herbert’s memorable debut season now includes an NFL record. In Thursday night’s game against the Raiders, Chargers equalized Baker Mayfield’s rookie record by throwing the 27th touchdown pass. He also rushed to score in overtime to lead Los Angele to a 30-27 victory over the Raiders.
Herbert, who came in with 25 touchdown passes, started the game with a 10-meter touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Henry. He equalized Mayfield’s record just before the break after connecting with receiver Tyron Johnson at a 26-yard pass. In overtime, Herbert’s 53-yard completion to receiver Jalen Guyton set his winning touchdown run.
“We are a resilient team,” Herbert told Fox Sports after the game. “Jalen had a great run … I could have thrown him a little further and he could have scored. Objects for those guys in front blocking [on his touchdown run]. ”
Herbert’s performance on Thursday became even more impressive as the first two receivers, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, were limited due to injuries. With Allen and Williams limited, Herbert found success throwing the ball to Guyton, Henry, Johnson and early KJ Hill.
“They intensified the time,” Herbert said of his welcoming body. “I knew how special these guys in a group are. Whenever you miss Keenan and Mike, it’s definitely hard. But they gave it their all, they gave everything they could, and those guys gave up. intensified.”
The third defender selected in the 2020 draft, Herbert, 22 years old, threw at least one touchdown in 12 of the 13 starts of this season. He threw at least two touchdowns in nine games, including his four-touchdown performance this season in the Chargers’ Week 5 loss to the Saints.
Herbert, who has thrown 3,781 yards this season, is a striking distance from Andrew Luck’s record, and former Colts defender threw for 4,374 yards in 2012. A quarterback record that seems certain is his record. Peyton Manning for interceptions. Manning, who will eventually fall as one of the league’s most prolific passers-by, led the league with 28 interceptions during his 1998 debut season.
“He kind of exploded on stage, exactly the way he did it,” Henry recently said of Herbert through ESPN’s Shelley Smith. “Driving in a quiet way is wonderful. It’s exciting to see it flourish in what it will be.”
Despite his success, the Chargers are in the middle of a second consecutive losing season and will receive another selection from the top five in this year’s draft. And while the Chargers have several positions to tackle during the season, he doesn’t have to worry about his position as a defender, as Herbert seems to be heading for a long and successful NFL career.