Justin Herbert shined as he's finished all of his rookie campaign, while another former Oregon first-round pick, Marcus Mariota, came on in relief of an injured Derek Carr to place on a powerful performance, as well. AFC West rivals the Las Vegas Raiders and l. a. Chargers played into overtime on a dramatic Thursday night, but it had been Herbert who commanded the ultimate spotlight -- and highlight. Herbert's quarterback sneak in overtime propelled the Chargers past the Raiders, 30-27
1) Justin Herbert seems to possess dazzled since his first NFL snap and Thursday night hardly went off script. All isn't lost during this Chargers season, as they need struck upon hope for the longer term and their franchise quarterback with Herbert. Though the Chargers (5-9) are headed toward a second-straight losing season, Herbert captained his second-straight game-winning drive and finished the sport with a QB sneak. He's made Bolts games entertaining watches and provided excitement for what may come for the franchise. The frontrunner for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, Herbert has been a first-season phenom, with an arm equal parts long and accurate. He reads defenses at a veteran level and commands the Bolts offense like an old pro. Herbert was scintillating through the air, throwing for 314 yards and two touchdowns -- giving him 27 on the season and tying him with Baker Mayfield for the foremost during a rookie campaign. The Chargers ridiculously went conservative and faraway from Herbert's golden arm within the last half , but after withstanding two missed Mike Badgley field goals and therefore the Raiders taking a field-goal lead in OT, Herbert rallied them to victory. A 53-yard great thing about a throw to Jalen Guyton found out the game-winner, though it only came after Herbert fumbled into the top zone and was given a second shot at a game-winning sneak. He made good this point . Three touchdowns on the night and many of pleasure to return . Herbert's somehow made a disappointing Chargers season remain stirring. He was the star of the show on Thursday and will be for the Chargers for autumns to return
2) Despite Marcus Mariota 's theatrics and all-around stellar pit the bench, the Raiders (7-7) were dealt a devastating loss upon tonight . The Raiders went into Thursday night with a replacement defensive coordinator because they fired the old one and no offensive coordinator because Greg Olson tested positive for COVID-19. They came out of Thursday night with a .500 record and still because the ninth seed within the AFC playoff race. Mathematically, the Raiders haven't left the playoff hunt, but realistically, their postseason hopes were expunged by Herbert's OT score. it is the Raiders' fourth loss in their last five games and they are just one of the foremost infamous play calls ever faraway from a five-game losing skid. Head-scratching play calls by the Chargers along side two missed field goals appeared to serve the Raiders for a much-needed win, but it wasn't to be. Injuries, COVID-19 issues aplenty, usually horrendous defense and a sputtering run have plagued Las Vegas this year, which began with such promise. The Raiders haven't made the postseason since 2016 and, barring a miracle, they'll be home for the playoffs once more in 2020.
3) Perhaps any win is cause for celebration, but puzzlement still prevails because it relates to the Chargers coaching and special teams despite the victory. Two go-ahead field goal attempts inside the ultimate four minutes and, of course, the Chargers missed them both. Badgley's 51-yard attempt with 53 seconds to travel in regulation had the space , but fluttered left. Minutes earlier, it had been a nasty snap and a nasty kick. With a tie ballgame with 3:38 left within the fourth after a nasty no-call that should've been pass interference against the Raiders, Badgley attempted a 47-yard field goal. it had been pulled left. this is often the Chargers. in fact it had been no good. Everyone knew it had been getting to be no good, because the Chargers are a tortured franchise when it involves kicks going every which way but through the uprights when it matters most. It wasn't all on the special teams though, because the fourth quarter played out as an indictment on the offensive play-calling. Herbert had only one pass attempt within the stanza. With Herbert slinging it and Badgley struggling, the Chargers went conservative and played to line up two field goal attempts gone awry. it had been puzzling play-calling to be kind that led to more special teams struggles. Badgley's missed an NFL-high nine field goals. The football gods are often mean. and therefore the Chargers' game management are often confounding
4) On just their second offensive drive of the sport , the Raiders were hobbled when quarterback Derek Carr sustained a groin injury. Enter Marcus Mariota , who's still got some spring in his step and potential in his play. the previous first-rounder played for the primary time as a Raider and immediately breathed new life into the stagnant squad. Playing against the foremost recent Oregon Duck drafted within the first round, Mariota looked equally the guy who was taken second overall by the Titans in 2015. Mariota extended plays together with his legs and troubled the Bolts as he completed 17-of-28 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown, while also invigorating the Silver and Black's stumbling rushing attack with a game-high 88 yards on nine carries. Mariota piloted the Raiders back from a 24-17 deficit, his two-yard scoring run within the fourth quarter resulting in overtime, where he pushed Vegas ahead on a Daniel Carlson field goal. But the Raiders defense couldn't make a stop. Mariota's storybook night should've led to a victory, but it wasn't meant to be. With two games left, if Carr's groin allows him to play in Week 16, there could be a choice to be made on who gets the beginning . Nonetheless, while the Raiders' playoff hopes are finished all intents and purposes, Mariota showed Thursday that he isn't.
5) seems Darren Waller 's pretty phenomenal even when Carr's not throwing him passes. The Raiders' top receiver and Carr's favorite target was magnificent another time , failing to miss a beat when Mariota took over. Waller hauled during a 35-yard TD from Mariota within the second quarter to ignite the Raiders offense and another huge individual showing. Waller had game-highs of nine catches and 150 yards and showed once more when he's at his best, he's one among the simplest . All the more astounding is what proportion sometimes Waller carries the pass with the Raiders offering so little help within the receiving corps for much of the season
6) The AFC West is completely loaded with talent at the end position. Chiefs end Travis Kelce is that the best within the league this season and therefore the Raiders' Waller has taken the No. 2 spot. But the Broncos' Noah Fant is emerging and Chargers fifth-year end Hunter Henry has had a quietly good season. Thursday was Henry's 14th game of the season, which may be a new career-high for the oft-injured Bolt and he's produced a career-high in catches for a campaign and can likely do an equivalent in yards. Playing on the franchise tag, Henry is producing albeit he is not making an entire lot of noise. Among the myriad monumental offseason decisions awaiting the Chargers, what they are doing with Henry is one among them. He's been a stable presence for a dynamic rookie QB.
7) Joey Bosa signed one heckuva big contract before the season and yet still plays every play like it's his last. He's limping whenever you see him out there, but he clearly makes the Chargers defense such a lot better when he's on the sector . Still, the maximum amount as Herbert is that this team's franchise QB, Bosa is its franchise defender. He was getting evaluated for a concussion late within the game and hobbled before that very much like he's been all year. it'd be time to take a seat Bosa whether he wants to or not