LA Chargers: 3 things we’ve learned about Justin Herbert in 3 starts

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports – LA Chargers

3. Justin Herbert can sling it with the best

This was Justin Herbert’s best game. Herbert played a nearly mistake-free game up until the final drive, where he threw an interception while down by seven on a deep ball. Before that, it was hard to critique Herbert for anything.

Sure, there was the fumble right before half that completely shifted the game and gave the Bucs the momentum, but I am not even sure if that was all Herbert. Yeah, the hand-off was not great, but it was Joshua Kelley that bobbled the ball, the offensive line that was blown up and the playcalling that was really… interesting.

So yes, absolutely did contribute to the fumble, but I am not sure that it would have been any different if any other quarterback was handing that ball off.

Herbert completed 20 of 25 passes for 290 yards with three touchdowns. He had two absolute bombs to Tyron Johnson and Jalen Guyon with a beautiful jump ball to Donald Parham in one-on-one coverage.

He was absolutely fantastic in this game and proved that he could sling it with even the best of quarterbacks. Scoring 31 points against this Tampa Bay defense, especially with the offensive line hurt, the receiving corps down to Keenan Allen and a few unproven players and Austin Ekeler out, is no small feat.

With all due respect, there is absolutely no way that Tyrod Taylor does that with what Herbert had on Sunday and who he was playing. The Chargers score 14 points or fewer with Taylor under center.