Since Justin Herbert was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020, Herbert has led 18 game-winning drives in his career, which is the most in the NFL, only trailing Patrick Mahomes, who has 19 since 2020. Many would not have expected Herbert to have more game-winning drives than superstar quarterbacks such as Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow because the Chargers have not had any playoff success with Herbert as their quarterback.
What truly makes Herbert’s clutch record so impressive is that he does not have the same luxuries afforded to quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes.
Herbert is not throwing to Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy; he’s throwing to Quentin Johnston, Jalen Raegor, Derius Davis, occasionally Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams on the rare occasion they are healthy.
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Herbert is not protected by an elite offensive line of All-Pro caliber linemen such as Orlando Brown, Joe Thuney, and Creed Humphrey; instead, he’s had guys like Strom Norton, Austin Deaclus, and Sam Tevi blocking for him.
Herbert has not had a mastermind (until Jim Harbaugh was hired last year) coaching him, like Mahomes has in Andy Reid; instead, he was stuck with Brandon Staley.
Herbert also does not get the luxury of a top 10 defense like Mahomes has every year. Herbert’s average defense ranks 28th from 2020-2024; there are only 32 teams in the NFL. And of course, we cannot forget that Herbert does not have the luxury of the officials bailing him out of a tough situation like Patrick Mahomes has had for the last several years and counting.
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Graphic Credit to CBS Sports
Justin Herbert vs Tua Tagovailoa
Despite the lack of surrounding talent, Herbert has overcome it time and time again, unlike any other quarterback in the NFL, and he did it again Sunday against the Dolphins. After the Chargers drafted Herbert, one pick before the Dolphins would select their franchise quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, it is always contentious between the two fan bases when discussing who has the better quarterback. Even though most NFL fans have moved on from this debate years ago, many Dolphins fans still want to believe Tua is the better quarterback. Sunday’s game once again showed that Herbert is a tier above Tua.
Justin Herbert’s offensive line was once again a major issue. Missing starters Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt, and Trey Pipkins, Herbert has been pressured 85 times this year, the most in the NFL, and has been sacked 18 times, which is the 3rd most in the NFL. This year is not unique, however, according to Daniel Popper, Herbert has already been hit 525 times in his career and is on pace to surpass Andrew Luck this year, who was hit so many times in his six-year career that he chose early retirement.
Herbert’s Definitive Clutch Play vs the Dolphins
The Dolphins came into Sunday’s game with one of the weakest defenses in all of football, so many expected they would not be able to generate the same pressure as the Giants, Commanders, and Broncos. However, that was not the case as the Dolphins’ front seven dominated the Chargers’ depleted offensive line the entire game. That was no more apparent than on the game-winning drive as Justin Herbert was hit by multiple Dolphins defenders, and he somehow was able to get the ball to wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who ran it all the way into field goal range with the help of a great block from backup running back Hassan Haskins.
Justin Herbert displayed incredible leadership and toughness on this play, showing that it does not matter who you put on that field; Herbert will give the team a chance to win every week. Herbert’s record improved to 40-20 when his defense held an opponent under 30 points, a shockingly rare feat for the Chargers’ defense throughout Herbert’s career. Head coach Jim Harbaugh was in complete awe of Herbert and Ladd on that final drive. “That play will be burned in my mind until they throw dirt over the top of me.”
Even though the Dolphins are a bad football team, this was a huge win for the Los Angeles Chargers as they improved to 4-2 on the season and remain in first place in a competitive AFC West. With Khalil Mack and Joe Alt set to return within the next few weeks, the Chargers can expect to turn this momentum into more wins with those two key pieces back in the fold. Next week, the Chargers play a tough game against the Colts at SoFi that should be another closely contested contest.
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