GETTING BETTER
Herbert worked magic in win over Dolphins to keep Chargers’ playoff hopes alive
The Chargers didn’t actually save their season with their 2317 victory Sunday over the Miami Dolphins at SoFi Stadium, but it was the sort of game that had that kind of a feeling about it afterward. Here’s what we learned, what we heard and what comes next after a mustwin victory:
HERBERT’S HEROICS >> The Chargers were clinging to a 20-14 lead when they began a drive from their own 11-yard line with 11:19 remaining in the game. They had stopped the Dolphins and forced them to punt, but there was plenty of time and plenty of history to believe their lead was not safe and secure.
After all, the Chargers had lost four times when holding a halftime lead, including twice to the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this season, and most recently, Dec. 4 to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chargers led the Dolphins by halftime 17-7, but that was hardly a commanding lead, was it?
This time, the Chargers locked down the game when it was on the line. Justin Herbert directed the Chargers on a remarkable 17-play, 79-yard drive that ate up a whopping 8:39 and produced the back-breaking 28-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker with 2:40 remaining.
Herbert was clinical in his accuracy and efficiency, completing six of eight passes and also scrambling for a 10-yard gain. Herbert used a mix of passes plus runs by Austin Ekeler to get the Chargers into position for Dicker to kick what was essentially a chip shot field goal.
Overall, Herbert completed 39 of 51 passes for 367 yards and one touchdown, his 21st career game with more than 300 passing yards. He sliced and diced the Dolphins’ secondary from start to finish, aided by the return of wide receiver Mike Williams from an ankle injury. Williams caught six passes
for 116 yards, including a 55-yard gain that set up Dicker’s 31-yard field goal that made it 20-14 with 4:18 left in the third quarter. Williams also made a leaping catch in the back of the end zone for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead with 9:49 left in the half.
Herbert has topped 300 yards passing in each of his past two games, and he hasn’t thrown an interception in three consecutive, sandwiching victories over the Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals around a loss to the Raiders. Next up, the Tennessee Titans next Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
“He’s just getting started,” Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen said of the 24-year-old Herbert. “He’s about to blow this league away.”
Chargers defensive back Alohi Gilman referred to Herbert as “a beast.”
“Just amazing,” Gilman said. “Justin is special.” CLIMBING THE CHARTS >> Dan Marino is the only quarterback in NFL history with more touchdown passes through his first three seasons in the league than Herbert. Marino had 98 touchdowns to start his Hall of Fame career with the Dolphins. Herbert threw the 90th touchdown of his threeseason career on Sunday.
Herbert has passed for 13,056 yards in his career, eclipsing former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, for the most yards through three seasons. Luck had 12,957 to start his career. Luck also passed for 86 touchdowns in his first three years in the NFL, third behind Marino and Herbert.
GETTING DEFENSIVE >> Gilman’s aggressive coverage on Miami’s standout wide receiver Tyreek Hill on the first play of scrimmage, resulting in an incomplete pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, set the tone for a remarkable defensive performance. Tagovailoa misfired on 18 of 28 passes by game’s end.
The Chargers outgained the Dolphins 432-219. How? Why?
After all, the Chargers were without three key defensive players, including safety Derwin James Jr.
“Kyle rushed really well, Khalil rushed really well, the whole group in general rushed really well,” Chargers defensive lineman Morgan Fox said, referring to edge rushers Kyle Van Noy and Khalil Mack. “I think it really helps when your DBs and ‘backers were covering the way they were.
“Everyone, as a whole, was flying to the ball and creating a lot of havoc.”
The Chargers, giving up an NFL-worst 5.4 yards per carry, limited the Dolphins to 92 yards on 19 attempts, an average of 4.8 yards. It might be worrisome for some defensive players and their coaches around the league, but it was a significant improvement for the Chargers.
“I think we did a really good job of stopping the explosive runs,” Fox said. INJURY UPDATES >> Edge rusher Joey Bosa has looked good during recent individual workouts, according to Chargers coach Brandon Staley. Bosa, who has been sidelined by a groin injury since Week 3, could be back on the practice field sooner rather than later. Staley didn’t rule it out for later this week.
Left tackle Rashawn Slater has the “potential” to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season, Staley said. Slater suffered a torn biceps tendon in Week 3 and the original estimate was that he could be lost for the remainder of the season, but that has now been altered, so it’s possible he could play again.
Additionally, cornerback Bryce Callahan (groin), defensive lineman Sebastian Joesph-Day (knee) and right tackle Trey Pipkins III (knee) are expected to practice this week after sitting out Sunday’s game against Miami. Safety Derwin James Jr. (quadriceps) was day-to-day, according to Staley.
WHAT COMES NEXT? >> The Chargers (7-6) play host to the AFC South-leading Titans (7-6). Tennessee was beaten soundly Sunday by the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that thumped the Chargers in Week 3 at SoFi Stadium. Oddsmakers are likely to favor the Chargers on Sunday, and in each of their final four games.