Justin Herbert changes play from run to pass on game-winning touchdown
With the game tied late in the fourth quarter, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert made a change to the play call right before the game-winning touchdown. Many thought 32 seconds was too much time to leave Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, but Herbert saw an opportunity to score.
Los Angeles initially called a run, but Herbert approached receiver Mike Williams in the huddle with a different plan.
“It was actually a running play and coach [Brandon Staley] wanted to run the ball to run the time down so they didn’t get ball back but Justin looked at me and said, ‘Be ready for the fade,’” Williams said. “I just ran a route fade and he put the ball where it should be and I made the play on it.”
Williams caught a four-yard score score in the corner of the end zone to give the Chargers a 30-24 lead. They missed the extra point making the play look like even more of a risk. Now a touchdown could win the game, so long as the Chiefs followed through with their extra point.
Herbert also connected with Williams for a 20-yard touchdown at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The receiver has at least one touchdown catch in every game this season. He finished with seven catches for 122 yards in the win.
Mahomes went 0-for-4 after the Chiefs got the ball back as the Chargers defense wasn’t ready to give up any big plays. The only first down came on a 21-yard run from the star quarterback.
The game-winning touchdown would not have been possible if Los Angeles hadn’t opted to go for it on fourth down earlier in the drive. Facing fourth-and-9 after a false start penalty, Herbert threw a pass the way of Jaylen Guyton and drew pass interference.
“We may have to go for it fourth down because of the team, because of the firepower they have,” Williams said, explaining the message from Staley. “We got to just believe what we do, control what we can control, believe in the people that we have in the huddle and that’s what he believed in.”
So Herbert went 2-for-2 on risky plays during the final drive, showing the gumption you want out of your quarterback. It’s clear not much intimidates the former Oregon star, and the Chargers just earned a huge AFC West victory.
Mahomes and the Chiefs will have a chance at revenge when the division rivals meet again on Dec. 16. Will Justin Herbert have to change more play calls in that one?