Since entering the NFL in 2020, Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert has made 21 regular-season primetime starts. The record? 10 wins, 11 losses. That includes Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and Thursday Night Football matchups.
It’s not a pretty record on paper, but wins are mostly a team stat, and Herbert’s actual performance in these spots tells a much more impressive story.
He averages about 280 passing yards per game, completes 66 percent of his throws, and hovers near a 100 passer rating. The production is there, and the volume is massive. He’s asked to carry a lot.
Primetime Games Tell A Story Of Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert
When he’s in rhythm, the results are special. He carved up the Saints for four touchdowns in just his fourth career start.
He dropped 382 yards, three touchdowns, and 90 rushing yards on the Steelers in a shootout win.
He completely outplayed Tua in a hyped 2022 Sunday Night Football matchup, throwing for 367 yards on 51 attempts.
And when the Chargers beat the Raiders in OT in 2020, Herbert delivered a walk-off touchdown and tied the rookie TD record in the process.
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But there’s been plenty of frustration, too. In close losses to the Chiefs, Cowboys, and Ravens, late turnovers or missed chances crushed comeback attempts.
Against the Broncos and Jets, the offense stalled completely, and Herbert couldn’t find the end zone. Some games were dictated by injuries, play-calling, or defensive breakdowns, but Herbert’s performance hasn’t always been clean either—several prime-time losses featured critical picks or stalled red zone trips.
Still, there’s no question Herbert has shown up for the moment more often than not. The numbers back it, the tape confirms it, and the Chargers’ biggest primetime wins during his time almost always run through him. His best performances are decisive, explosive, and often record-setting.
The verdict?
Justin Herbert isn’t the reason the Chargers are 10–11 in primetime. In fact, he’s the reason many of those games were even competitive. He’s proven he can show up on the biggest stages, and when the team wins in primetime, it’s usually because of him.
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