On the point out of his record-setting streak of passes with out an interception, Justin Herbert gently knocked on a picket lectern and smirked. A run like this could all the time use some superstitious assist.
Herbert has thrown 335 consecutive passes with out an interception, a Chargers report. Nonetheless working towards Aaron Rodgers’ NFL report of 402 consecutive passes, Herbert downplayed his streak, saying it’s “probably more luck than anything.”
Coach Jim Harbaugh scoffed on the suggestion.
“Way more skill than luck,” Harbaugh stated.
Herbert hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 2 in opposition to the Carolina Panthers. His streak of 11 consecutive video games with out an interception whereas trying not less than 15 passes is tied with Tom Brady’s from 2010 for the longest in a season.
Herbert, who returned to apply Thursday whereas nursing a left ankle harm, can go Brady (358) for the fourth-longest streak of passes with out an interception Sunday in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1:25 p.m. at SoFi Stadium.
In keeping with Professional Soccer Focus, Herbert has had 4 turnover-worthy performs — which embody passes with a high-percentage likelihood of being intercepted and performs with poor ball safety that might end in a fumble — within the final eight video games. Amongst quarterbacks who’ve performed not less than 20% of their groups’ dropbacks throughout that span, Herbert’s 1.3% fee of turnover-worthy performs is tied for fourth finest, whereas his 22 big-time throws are tied for essentially the most.
“It’s just one of those things where you go play quarterback and you’re not worried about it,” stated Herbert, who has fumbled six instances and misplaced two this season. “If I throw an interception, it is what it is.
“I’m gonna do everything I can to protect the ball and make sure that I’m not putting the team in harm’s way. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to be aggressive. You’ve got to take your shots and if they’re down there and there’s a tipped ball, or someone makes a great play, that’s the way the game goes.”
To Harbaugh, a 15-year NFL quarterback, the “gold standard” is 2 interceptions for each 100 throws. Herbert has a profession interception fee of 1.54%.
After 10 years in skilled soccer and 7 NFL groups, Chargers backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke stated Herbert is the perfect he’s been round relating to limiting interceptions.
Not solely does Herbert have the arm power to push the ball to all corners of the sector, Heinicke stated, but additionally he combines it with accuracy and good selections. Herbert avoids fluke performs reminiscent of tipped passes that end in unpredictable interceptions by understanding every play name’s intent in opposition to each defensive look and understanding when to take a shot downfield or alter if that choice doesn’t materialize.
“He’s unbelievable at it,” Heinicke stated. “It’s really fun to watch.”
Herbert insisted it’s not simply him. The quarterback credited his receivers for serving to maintain the streak alive by tipping balls away from defenders if the go wasn’t in excellent place. He has lauded receiver Ladd McConkey as a participant whose pure route-running capacity limits the chance for interceptions as a result of McConkey shields defenders together with his physique.
With Herbert main the best way, the Chargers have turned the ball over a league-low six instances. Their plus-11 turnover margin ranks third. The Buccaneers (7-6) are minus-two in turnover margin as quarterback Baker Mayfield has had 13 passes intercepted, essentially the most for the previous Heisman Trophy winner since 2021 when he was with the Cleveland Browns.
Mayfield, whose 28 landing passes are tied for third within the NFL, had 4 passes intercepted and misplaced a fumble within the final two weeks.
Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman stated he thanked Herbert for not placing the workforce within the place of making an attempt to beat many interceptions.
“His ultimate concern is winning, not pumping up stats or whatever,” Roman stated. “I think that’s where it all starts. It’s been remarkable.”
