The Chargers return to primetime on Sunday night against the Ravens, pitting two teams going in opposite directions in the AFC playoff race.
Here are four reasons to be optimistic about Los Angeles getting themselves back in the hunt.
Despite two straight losses to the Lions and Packers, Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense has continued to simmer. Herbert has arguably had two of his best games of the season in the past two weeks, setting up a heavyweight duel between him and Lamar Jackson, one of the league’s MVP favorites.
What’s been most impressive about this stretch from Herbert is how he’s done it without getting much help from his surroundings.
Austin Ekeler had his most effective day of the season last week but fumbled a red zone opportunity. Keenan Allen is dealing with an AC joint sprain and dropped a touchdown.
Gerald Everett has been in and out of the lineup. Preseason WR4 Quentin Johnston has been thrust into the WR2 role. Nevertheless, Herbert has persisted, keeping the Chargers in games they have no business competing in.
The national media will have you believe that Herbert doesn’t have what it takes to be a winner in this league. But watch the games, and you’ll see a quarterback playing as high of a level as anybody in the NFL over the past few weeks. That alone could keep Los Angeles afloat on Sunday.