Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert claimed an unwanted record as he threw the most passes in a winning effort without scoring a passing touchdown in NFL history during his team’s slender win over the Denver Broncos on Monday night.
Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins made four field goals - including a 39-yard effort in overtime - to move LA to 4-2 on the season following the 19-16 win over Denver on Monday Night Football. Hopkins had suffered a hamstring injury during the first half but powered on to steer the Chargers to victory.
The Chargers have won three straight to improve to 4-2. They are tied with the Kansas City Chiefs atop the AFC West after Patrick Mahomes’ outfit fell to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
The game seemed destined to end as a tie until Broncos returner Montrell Washington muffed a punt at the 32-yard line, allowing Deane Leonard to recover at the 28. Herbert picked out Mike Williams to get Hopkins closer for the game winner.
Herbert’s 57 passes during the win over Denver were the most in a winning effort without a passing touchdown in NFL history. The 24-year-old is considered one of the brightest prospects in the sport but has struggled since picking up a rib injury earlier in the season.
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has failed to reproduce the form he showcased for a decade in Seattle following his high-profile trade from the Seahawks. He finished 15-of-28 for 188 yards and a touchdown as Denver lost in overtime for the second successive week.
Denver had led 10-0 lead with scores on the first two drives. Kicker Brandon McManus was good from 51 yards midway through the first quarter before Wilson found Greg Dulcich for a 39-yard touchdown with 1:49 remaining in the quarter.
Do you think Justin Herbert will lead the Los Angeles Chargers to the playoffs in 2022? Let us know in the comments section.
The touchdown was the Broncos’ first in nearly 88 minutes of play - and they failed to replicate anything productive on offence after that. The Chargers hit back immediately, with Austin Ekeler scoring a six-yard touchdown run following an 82-yard drive that spanned 15 plays.
LA evened it at 10-10 on Hopkins’ 37-yard field goal with 53 seconds remaining in the half. The Broncos remarkably drove to the Chargers’ nine-yard line to set up McManus from 27 yards.
The Chargers tied it on their first drive of the third quarter when Hopkins converted from 31 yards.In the fourth quarter, McManus was good from 48 after Baron Browning had intercepted Herbert before Hopkins answered with a field goal from 25 to send it to overtime.
The 4-2 Chargers host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in their next match, while the 2-4 Broncos will welcome the New York Jets to the Empower Field at Mile High in Week 7.
