Los Angeles Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert had as much of a stellar debut in Week 2 than a rookie could ask for in last-minute conditions. For Herbert, last Sunday should've been the normal for a rookie that was playing behind a favored, veteran quarterback.
Yet moments before the game, Herbert was told to suit up to start the game against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs after news of Tyrod Taylor's rib injury spread. Though present on the sideline shortly, Taylor's injury would cause him to miss the game. With Taylor scheduled to miss weeks due to the Chargers' team doctor accidentally puncturing Taylor's lung in an attempt to give him pain medicine, Herbert will be named starter for Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers.
Shortly into the contest against the Chiefs, Herbert quickly won over the hearts of Chargers nation. If history repeats itself, we have a few predictions of how Herbert's outing against the Panthers may go on Sunday.
3. Beginner's Luck
This may be the most unlikeliest prediction, but it can still happen. Herbert has only proven himself in one game regardless of how challenging the opponent was. His performance against the Chiefs could be an anomaly to that of what's going to be routine for him during his rookie season—having average games with decent performances in between.
What's more bewildering is head coach Anthony Lynn's insistence on Herbert remaining a second string regardless of his performance against the Chiefs.
According to Bleacher Report's Kalyn Kahler, Lynn explained his reasoning during a Zoom call on Monday.
“I thought [Justin] came in and gave us a chance to win,” Lynn said over the call. “But there is a lot you don't know, and there is a lot we didn't get done with Justin on the field yesterday. He is a backup for a reason. He is a rookie, and there is a lot he needs to learn about this game.
He furthered his opinion on Herbert's performance by referencing the end result of the contest.
“And it's not like we won the damn game yesterday. We lost, last time I checked.”
2. Herbert takes it up a notch for three touchdowns
This take is perhaps the likeliest of all. Keep in mind, Herbert got action against a top-notch defense in the Chiefs and still produced. Though he is a rookie with much to learn, having him in over Taylor may prove to be fruitful. Taylor's veteran status saves face in the wake of Herbert's development, but should Herbert continue to have big games, even Lynn would have to reconsider his initial thought of keeping Herbert benched upon Taylor's return.
What helps Herbert's case is his next opponent: the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are coming off a lackluster 31-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday. With a defense that has much to gain, this game may be Herbert's (and the Chargers) for the taking.
3. Insane passing rate
Though he shocked the world only to come up short in an overtime loss to the Chiefs, Herbert's passing numbers jumped off the page at the end of the game. He finished the game with a 66.7 percent passing rate for 311 yards along with one touchdown. Though maybe not identical, that passing rate will be the same or even greater against the Panthers, a defense quite some steps down from that of the Chiefs.
An overtime loss to the defending champions will translate very well to an insane passing game once more against the Panthers, a club desperate to get on the right track with a 0-2 record currently. As long as Justin Herbert stays the course and maintains the rookie jitters that often come about, he could find himself spearheading an offense that was once meant for Taylor.
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