Saints Edge Chargers 30-27 in OT, Herbert Continues to Break Records
Justin Herbert did everything he could to help his team break a three-game losing streak, and notch the first win on his NFL belt Monday night against the New Orleans Saints.
Herbert threw for a career-high four touchdown passes, making him the only rookie quarterback in NFL history to pass for four touchdowns on Monday Night Football.
The 1st rookie in NFL history to throw 4 touchdowns on #MNF?
Justin Herbert. #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/gzcHCwJnU0
— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2020
With under four minutes to play in the fourth quarter and the game tied 20-20, Herbert threw a rope to wide receiver Mike Williams who took it the rest of the way for the go-ahead 64-yard touchdown. The score made it 27-20 Chargers with just 3:40 to play, and the Los Angeles defense needed one stop to secure Herbert’s first NFL win.
Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees was no stranger to the situation, leading the offense on an eight-play 73-yard drive for the game-tying touchdown. The Saints did not face a third down on the drive until Taysom Hill’s 9-yard touchdown run on third-and-four, which would eventually result in sending the game to overtime.
Los Angeles did have an opportunity to win the game in regulation, as Herbert found Mike Williams once again for a 29-yard pass play setting the Chargers up at the Saints 32-yard line with just 0:08 remaining on the clock. Chargers’ kicker Michael Badgley hit the right upright on the potential game-winning 50-yard field goal.
Michael Badgley DOINKpic.twitter.com/2VRgHM8QO8
— SportsLine (@SportsLine) October 13, 2020
In overtime, the Chargers defense could not force a third down until the Saints were deep in Los Angeles territory at the 18-yard line. Brees missed Emmanuel Sanders on third-and-six, bringing on kicker Will Lutz who made the go-ahead field go.
Herbert and the Chargers offense were unable to answer, turning the ball over on downs after failing to convert a fourth-and-six at their own 44-yard line. Saints won 30-27.
Justin Herbert has now faced Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees, and has helped his team to a lead in the fourth quarter against all of them.
Justin Herbert game stats:
20-of-34, 264 yards (7.8 per), 4 touchdowns, 122.7 rating
Just Herbert season stats:
9 TD’s 3 INT’s, 1,195 yards, 107.1 QBR, 68.8 CMP% — on pace to shatter nearly every rookie passing record.
