LA Chargers: Justin Herbert game grade in loss to Buffalo Bills

Justin Herbert game grade: C

This was an interesting game for Justin Herbert. He was not the same electric quarterback that we have gotten used to but it almost felt like it was not his fault. Perhaps we are just being Justin Herbet apologists, but the odds were stacked against him and most quarterbacks would have had a terrible game in this situation.

First off, Bryan Bulaga was scratched with an illness right before kickoff. Anthony Lynn said in his post-game presser that Bulaga had a stomach ache and did not feel good. That led to Trey Pipkins being in the game and we all know what that means.

Herbert was getting pressured even more than he is used to and that forced him to make some of these throws quicker than he typically would, creating that small error that led to so many drops or “just-miss” completions.

He also, as we mentioned, did not get help from the coaching staff. The playcalling and decision making in this game was atrocious and that absolutely has an impact on the quarterback.

Justin Herbert was not as good as we have seen him be in the past and he did not put the team on his back and make it a closer game, as he normally does.

This is not a knock on Herbert, we just have high expectations for a quarterback as talented as him. If anything, this shows that all the close games against good teams are because of him. And when he doesn’t have his absolute best showing then the Chargers are exposed as the poorly-coached team that they are.

He gets a C. Without that garbage time hail mary he would have finished with 261 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Worthy of a C.