Will Justin Herbert’s Improved Play Bring the Chargers Back to the Playoffs?
Coming into the 2024 season, it was a widely accepted belief that under the offensive direction of head coach Jim Harbaugh and coordinator Greg Roman, the Chargers’ offense would place a renewed emphasis on the ground game. However, even with that expectation, few would have predicted the initially restrained passing output from Justin Herbert, who was held under 180 passing yards in each of the team’s first four games. However, since the team’s pivotal Week Six win over the Broncos, Herbert has rebounded remarkably, recording 349 and 279 yards in Weeks Seven and Eight, respectively. In just those two games, he’s thrown for a combined 628 yards, exceeding his yardage from the entire first four games combined.
Not only are Herbert’s stats turning heads, but his recent performance against the Cardinals and Saints has arguably been the best stretch of his career. His Pro Football Focus grade of 89.7 against Arizona was impressive, just shy of the “elite” range. The following week, Herbert received a personal best of 95.3 against New Orleans. Combined, this marks the highest-graded two-game span of Herbert’s career, and it reflects not just numbers but a deepening mastery of his craft.
ESPN’s Benjamin Solak recently featured Herbert in his “All-Film” team, a roster of players whose contributions go beyond traditional recognition, such as All-Pro honors. Solak praised Herbert’s adaptability, noting how he’s making the difficult plays look routine, even with a banged-up offensive line and a receiving corps largely composed of practice squad talent. Solak remarked, “The Chargers are a high-floor, low-ceiling team — but they’d be a low-floor, no-ceiling team without No. 10 back there.” Indeed, Herbert’s poise and skill are the bedrock of the team’s offense, keeping them competitive week in and week out. Despite injuries to key players, including 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston who’s still out with an ankle injury, Herbert has kept the passing game alive and even thriving in recent weeks. When Johnston returns, his addition could add yet another weapon to an offense already hitting its stride.
One of the highlights of Herbert’s resurgence came on the ground rather than through the air. Late in the first quarter of Week Eight, Herbert electrified the field with a 38-yard run, the longest of his NFL career. This play ignited the Chargers’ offense and helped establish a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Coach Harbaugh lauded Herbert’s burst of speed, remarking, “[I] loved the run, I thought that really got us going. Really sparked us. It showed what he can do. He can run, and he can run fast.” Prior to this week, Herbert had logged just 34 rushing yards on the season, hampered by an ankle injury.
Currently holding the seventh seed in the AFC, the Chargers have momentum and the key asset of a healthy Herbert heading into the latter half of the season. With the passing game firing on all cylinders and Herbert’s versatility at its peak, fans have plenty of reason to be optimistic. The offense, once feared to be too run-heavy, is evolving to offer a balanced threat. Moreover, as Herbert continues to set new standards for himself, the ceiling for this team climbs higher. Whether it’s Herbert’s arm or his legs that are needed to get the job done, the franchise quarterback has proven he’ll do whatever it takes to propel this team forward.
With Justin Herbert at the helm, the Chargers are well-positioned to make a serious playoff push this season. Herbert's performance in recent games has injected new life into the offense, sparking confidence not only in his teammates but also in the fan base, who are eager for a deep postseason run. His leadership on the field, demonstrated through his resilience in the pocket and his newfound willingness to scramble, has transformed the Chargers into a legitimate contender. As he continues to break personal records and elevate his play in high-stakes situations, Herbert is proving that he has what it takes to lead this team to the playoffs and potentially beyond. With each game, the Chargers' playoff hopes look increasingly within reach, thanks in large part to their star quarterback's renewed dominance and adaptability.
