Justin Herbert has been regarded as one of the NFL's best quarterbacks for a while.
That hasn't stopped the Los Angeles Chargers from being more committed to the run than most teams in the league.
But in their season opener last Friday in Brazil, they beat the Kansas City Chiefs by letting Herbert cook. And that could be the entire key to deciding the AFC West Division.
When Herbert gets the chance to flex his muscles, he usually does wonderful things.
"The Chargers opened the season Friday night by passing 15 times in 20 chances on early downs in the first 28 minutes, the third-highest rate for a (Greg) Roman-coordinated offense in 179 total games with the Chargers, Ravens, 49ers and Bills," writes The Athletic's Mike Sando. "Since Week 14 last season, a span of seven games (counting playoffs), Roman has posted three of his five highest career Cook Index readings."
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The Cook Index uses the first 28 minutes of a game to see how often teams pass in what traditionally would be run situations (early downs, short yardage). It basically accounts for how often a team trusts its QB to make a play.
And lately, the Chargers are putting the ball in Herbert's hands more than ever before.
It paid off against the Chiefs in a 27-21 victory that gives L.A. a leg up on the division race right out of the chute.
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Herbert has been a part of some epic shootouts, when the Chargers let him. Jim Harbaugh's instincts as head coach, paired with Roman's as OC, are to take the air out of the ball and dominate games methodically.
But this is Justin Herbert we're talking about. His right arm is special.
And with the Chargers clearly starting to realize that, the rest of the league should look out.
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