Just five days prior at SoFi Stadium, Justin Herbert was chasing points all game and put up some monster numbers.
Back at home on Thursday, Herbert dazzled again with far more favorable results.
Herbert threw for three touchdowns for the second straight game, leading the Los Angeles Chargers to an impressive 37-10 win at home over the Minnesota Vikings.
“Yeah, a big win for us,” said Herbert, who propelled the Chargers to 5-3 after dropping three of their past four. “A big opportunity for us to go correct some of our mistakes. And I thought all three phases did that. It was just good to see a Chargers win today.”
On the night, Herbert completed 18 of 25 passes for 227 yards, the three TDs, one interception and a 122.8 passer rating, while also rushing for 62 yards on eight carries. It was his third career game with three or more TD tosses and 50-plush rushing yards, a stat not other Chargers QB in history has ever produced, according to NFL Research.
On Sunday in a 38-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Herbert and the Bolts trailed by as many as 21 points, so his final line of a 37 for 55 with a career-high 420 yards, three TDs and two interceptions was a bit misleading.
On Thursday, Herbert led the way from the start, carving up the Vikings, standing tall against their blitz and overcoming a couple of blemishes. Herbert overcame both of them — a near interception in the first quarter and an INT in the third — in resounding fashion.
“It’s just another thing about Justin Herbert that I don’t know how he does it,” L.A. head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “It’s nothing but respect. You know, to be able to actually throw an interception and then come back the next drive. That’s the great ones who can do that. The great, great ones. Just measure what they do after something goes bad, after there’s an interception. That’s the worst thing that can really happen to you as a quarterback. And then chart what they do with the next drive, you know, that near interception — that shakes a lot of guys. Not Justin Herbert, not the great ones, you know, back right down the field. After that near interception and touchdown drive. After the interception on the tip, (he) puts together another drive, another scoring drive and another one after that. It’s incredible.”