Quarterback Justin Herbert led the Los Angeles Chargers on a game-winning drive for the second straight week on Thursday, beating the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27 in overtime. It was the Chargers’ first win in division since beating the Denver Broncos in Week 17 of 2018, breaking a nine-game AFC West losing streak.
The Raiders capped a weird game with a bizarre ending. On the second to the last play of the game, Herbert fumbled in the end zone on an attempted quarterback sneak, which was recovered by Chargers fullback Gabe Nabers. But due to a rule that only the fumbler can advance the ball in the final two minutes of a half, it was placed back at the 1-yard line. Herbert then leaped over the goal line on the next play, stretching the ball out for the winning TD.
The touchdown was set up by a 53-yard pass from Herbert to Jalen Guyton to advance the ball to the Raiders’ 2-yard line. Herbert, who completed 22-of-32 passes 314 yards, scored three plays later.
Herbert tied the NFL rookie record for touchdown passes in a season earlier in the game, throwing a 26-yard touchdown pass to Tyron Johnson right before the end of the first half. That touchdown pass, his second of the game, gives him 27, tying him with the Cleveland Browns‘ Baker Mayfield, who set the mark in 2018.
Last Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, Herbert led the Chargers on a final drive which resulted in a 43-yard field goal by Michael Badgley. But Badgley missed two go-ahead field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter Thursday, including a 51-yarder with 53 seconds left. Badgley now leads the NFL in missed field goals with nine.
Bosa injured: Defensive end Joey Bosa left the game late in the fourth quarter and was evaluated for a possible concussion.
Shorthanded at receiver: Starting wideouts Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, both injured, played sparingly in the game and according to Herbert, “gave what they could.” Williams caught two passes for 22 yards while Allen had one reception for 17 yards.
Duck vs. Duck: Herbert ruined Las Vegas QB Marcus Mariota‘s glorious debut with the Raiders. Mariota came in for Derek Carr, who left with a groin injury in the second quarter. Herbert grew up watching Mariota in his hometown of Eugene, Oregon, before attending Oregon. Mariota went 17-for-28 for 226 yards, one touchdown and one interception and also rushed for a touchdown.