Los Angeles Chargers second-year quarterback Justin Herbert will be in for a grand test in Week 8 against the New England Patriots, which head coach Bill Belichick is surely much anticipating for.
Herbert has been tabbed among the early contenders for the 2021 NFL MVP award thanks to his strong start to the campaign, which has included 14 passing touchdowns recorded and a 98.8 passer rating posted through six games.
While much attention has been placed on Herbert's prowess as a pocket passer, Belichick sees that he is continuing to show grand improvements when it comes to extending plays. Whether it is his ability to complete key passes out of the pocket or simply run for a first down, Belichick is much expecting this aspect of his play to be on full display this Sunday.
“They'll bring him out three, four, five times a game,” Belichick said during a press conference ahead of Week 8. “They're not running quarterback sweeps and that kind of thing. They probably could, but he will extend plays if their receivers are covered, which they're usually not, but in some instances where they are, he's able to escape in the pocket and run for a first down or extend the play.
“He's got good vision, but he's athletic. He can run. He can get out of the pocket. He's no statue back there, that's for sure. Very accurate and can make all the throws.”
Belichick also hinted at just what the Chargers quarterback may see from the Patriots defense in Week 8, which may feature a stern approach from the team's pass defense unit.
“Pass rush and pass coverage are very closely related,” Belichick said. “Without one, the other won't be effective if you don't have both of them. That's our goal, defensively, as it always is, is to make the quarterback get the ball out on time or have the coverage to make him hold it for a split-second longer than he wants to.
“You can't cover these receivers in this league all day, so even if you have them covered for a little while, if the quarterback extends the play and you don't have any pass rush, they're eventually going to get open. You need to do both and have good team defense.”
Herbert may be in for the most arduous challenge of his NFL career to date in Week 8.
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