Chargers: Cam Newton outduels Justin Herbert – Week 13 game grades
By Simon Brady
Cam Newton did what he had to do to defeat Justin Herbert and the LA Chargers.
Two of the five solidified first-year starting quarterbacks in the NFL squared off, if you can even call it that, from beautiful, brand-new So-Fi stadium in Week 13.
Even with LA Chargers veteran backup Tyrod Taylor on the roster, prior to April’s draft, the Chargers were at the top of the Cam Newton sweepstakes back in the spring along with the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots, until the Pats ultimately signed him in June.
Instead, the Chargers grabbed their guy for now and the distant future in Justin Herbert. And despite now basically standing alone in the rookie of the year race with an outstanding first campaign, he sits at 3-9 after another defeat today, surrounded by complete and utter ineptitude littered throughout this organization.
Outside of closely fought W’s against the Jets and Jaguars, the bonafide bottom two teams in football, and the also measly Bengals, every Charger game has resulted in deflating defeat highlighted by poor schematics, historic special teams woes, self-inflicted mistakes, and much much more!
In short, this team has made a living of getting outclassed and thoroughly embarrassed on a national platform each week. In a city filled with more than competent, championship-contending teams by the way.
Today was just another chapter of this, minus the unthinkable last-second defeat. This time it was never in doubt for their opposition, New England. And so, though you’re about to see my game grades for the two signal-callers, know these grades are absolutely scaled in favor of Herbert.
Given the glaring insurmountable gap in coaching advantage between the great Bill Belichick and his staff versus the soon-to-be terminated Anthony Lynn and company, it’s only fair.