Despite the Loss, Justin Herbert Gave Fans a Glimmer of Hope

For three quarters, Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks looked like it was going to be the ugliest loss of the season for the Los Angeles Chargers. Los Angeles was down 30-13 late in the third quarter, the offense could not get anything going and injuries were piling up.

Then Justin Herbert showed up.

The Chargers ultimately fell 30-23 to the Seahawks and dropped to 0-4, but the fourth quarter provided at least one reason for fans to feel a little better about what this team can still become. Herbert played his best quarter of the season when the Chargers desperately needed someone to make plays. 

Herbert completed 6 of 8 passes for 80 yards in the fourth quarter and helped lead the Chargers on a pair of scoring drives. The offense outgained Seattle 138-11 in the final quarter, turning what appeared to be a blowout into a one-possession game. 

And Herbert had to do it while taking a beating.

The Chargers lost Ladd McConkey, Joe Alt, Trevor Penning and eventually Rashawn Slater to injuries during the game. At one point, the offensive line was forced to rely on multiple backups, yet Herbert continued to stand in the pocket and take hits to give his team a chance. 

That toughness was especially noticeable late in the game.

After Omarion Hampton’s touchdown cut the deficit to 30-20, the Chargers continued to fight. Herbert made several big plays and eventually helped get the team within seven points. The defense then gave the offense another opportunity, setting up what could have been a dramatic final drive.

Unfortunately, that’s where the comeback ended.

With 1:42 remaining and the Chargers starting at their own 11-yard line, Herbert moved the offense to the 29 before Seattle’s Uchenna Nwosu beat the battered offensive line, sacked Herbert and forced a fumble. Seattle recovered and was able to run out the clock. 

There is no getting around the fact that Herbert had a rough game overall. He finished 19-of-31 for 189 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions and a lost fumble. The Chargers also turned the ball over four times as a team. 

But the fourth quarter mattered.

It showed that Herbert still has the ability to put this offense on his back when everything is falling apart around him. It showed toughness. It showed fight. Most importantly, it showed that even a team that looked completely dead for much of Sunday could still find a way to make things interesting.

At 0-4, there isn’t much reason for optimism right now. The Chargers have serious problems that extend well beyond the quarterback.

Still, Herbert’s fourth quarter was a glimmer of hope.

Now the Chargers have to find a way to build on it.