NFL Premium Review: Chargers vs. Raiders on TNF

1. Justin Herbert is having one of the greatest rookie seasons of all-time

After being sprung into action due to highly unusual circumstances, Justin Herbert has taken full reigns at QB for the Los Angeles Chargers and has not disappointed. Proving to be a consistent thrower of the football week in and week out, Herbert continues to prove his doubters wrong and gives Chargers fans reason to be excited for the future. He has especially come into his own the last few weeks as he’s now led a couple of last-second wins thanks to his golden arm. Even with the struggles LA has had holding onto late leads, Herbert’s case for OROY continues to grow as he’s putting up some historic production as well. 

2. The Raiders are completely collapsing 

The Raiders’ debut season in Sin City began as a relatively promising one with a major win over the Saints in their first game at Allegiant Stadium and a 6-3 record halfway through the season. Unfortunately for the newly relocated franchise, it seems to just keep losing chips at the blackjack table with its season doing a complete 180, tailspinning into them barely being on the playoff cusp at 7-7. 

Despite having the easiest remaining schedule amongst NFL teams entering the second half, the Raiders have lost four of the last five and would’ve been 5-for-5 if not for now unemployed Gregg Williams calling an all-out blitz on a Hail Mary. Things likely won’t get easier for them given their history of poor December football (4-13 in the last 17 Dec. games). 

3. Get ready for some late-season fireworks

As the season reaches its finale, teams begin to put everything they have out on the field in order to try and secure a playoff spot. Thursday’s game was certainly one of those as Vegas gave all it had despite losing Derek Carr early on in the game. Between the game coming down to the wire, the missed GW-FG and the multiple goal-and-distance plays with the game on the line, this game was yet another late-season classic that fans love this time of the year. It’s the perfect follow-up to last Monday’s classic and could be the makings of more amazing football games with a full slate on Saturday preceding a potential Super Bowl matchup on Sunday.