Charger Report

Chargers' Justin Herbert causes 'international incident', vaults into Top 10 QB rankings

After leading his team to a signature upset of the Chiefs, Chargers' QB Justin Herbert is now ranked in the NFL's Top 10.
Richie Whitt|
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) picks up a first down against Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) picks up a first down against Kansas City Chiefs | Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images

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Justin Herbert beat Patrick Mahomes. In doing so, he jumped into The Top 10 NFL quarterbacks.

At least that's according to The Athletic, who this week vaulted the Los Angeles Chargers from No. 13 to No. 9 in its latest quarterback rankings. Writes NFL reporter Jeff Howe of the upset last Friday night in Brazil:

"Justin Herbert caused an international incident."

MORE: Chargers' Justin Herbert gets lofty 'MVP' praise

Herbert delivered a signature performance in beating Mahomes and the Chiefs in the early-season AFC West showdown. He threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns. Didn't commit a turnover. And he sealed the victory with a 19-yard scramble on 3rd-and-11.

Perhaps most importantly, he cemented the trust of head coach Jim Harbaugh. On two fourth-quarter possessions trying to hold onto the lead, Harbaugh had Herbert drop back to pass when all the world thought the run-first, conservative coach would play it safe and run the ball.

MORE: Greg Roman visited Justin Herbert in offseason to help unlock Chargers QB's potential

Herbert responded by leading the Chargers on a touchdown drive capped by a scoring pass to Quentin Johnston and then securing the win with his scramble.

The Athletic's Top 5 remained the same although with a bit of shuffing: 1. Josh Allen, 2. Lamar Jackson, 3. Patrick Mahomes, 4. Joe Burrow, 5. Jayden Daniels. While Herbert made the biggest move, the largest slide was by Russell Wilson after not a producing a touchdown for the New York Giants in their loss at Washington.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the warm up before a NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the warm up before a NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs | Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.

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