The Chargers defeated the Broncos on Sunday, capturing their third-straight victory.
Here are my takeaways from Los Angeles’ Week 16 win:
Absolute greatness
Quarterback Justin Herbert is having one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history. Herbert is now the holder of the most touchdown passes in a rookie season (28) after passing Baker Mayfield on Sunday.
Herbert also became only the fourth rookie quarterback in league history to throw for 4,000 yards in a single season. He is only the second quarterback to throw for at least 4,000 yards in his first 14 starts. Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes is the other.
Herbert needs one more against Kansas City this weekend to claim the most notable record — the rookie passing yards record. He needs 340 yards to tie Andrew Luck at 4,374 yards. Facing a secondary that’ll likely be resting their starters, it’s doable.
Herbert’s production and growth as a player has been eye-popping but the thing that stands out is that he is closing out games, as he has led game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime in three consecutive weeks.
That, itself just goes to show that he is going to be in the league for a long time.