Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, beneath stress from Saints defensive sort out Sheldon Rankins, grew to become the primary rookie to throw 4 landing passes on “Monday Evening Soccer.” (Brett Duke / Related Press)

Match two of one of the best quarterbacks in NFL historical past throw for throw? Examine.

Present surgical precision and uncanny poise for a rookie? Examine.

Carve out a spot within the NFL report books? Examine.

One of many few issues Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert hasn’t finished is win a sport.

The No.6 total choose on this yr’s draft dropped to 0-Four as a starter after Monday night time’s 30-27 additional time loss to New Orleans, one more one-score defeat for the Chargers, who lead the league with 4 of them this season.

“To be so shut in these previous 4 video games, it hurts so much,” Herbert stated, his jaw clenched tighter than a pinpoint spiral. “However I do know we’re going to return, we’re going to show it round, issues are going to vary. We’ve simply obtained to maintain attacking and know that the wins are going to come back.”

Hope springs everlasting, although this has been a maddening sample for the Chargers. 9 of their losses final season had been by one rating or much less, tying an NFL report.

But they know they’ve one thing particular in Herbert, who has proven good flashes in every of his 4 begins, together with the previous two defeats to Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady and the Saints’ Drew Brees.

Herbert, 22, grew to become the primary rookie — and the youngest participant — to throw 4 landing passes in a “Monday Evening Soccer” sport. In line with ESPN, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Dan Marino are the one different gamers to try this earlier than turning 24.

After all, all of that was merely fluff to Herbert when it doesn’t include a victory. He watched in exasperation as kicker Michael Badgley’s would-be game-winning area objective doinked off the within of the best upright from 50 yards on the finish of regulation, falling harmlessly to the turf.

Minutes later, after the Saints kicked a area objective in additional time, the Chargers did not reply with a

counterpunch. Herbert related with Mike Williams over the center on fourth and 6 close to midfield, however the Chargers receiver was tackled a foot in need of the primary down, ending the sport.

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“We’ve simply obtained to be taught to complete and shut out video games,” Herbert stated.

Monday’s loss was comparable in some regards to the 38-31 loss to the Buccaneers per week earlier. In each video games, the Chargers constructed a 17-point lead early, then began to see that slip away proper earlier than halftime. Each Brady and Brees directed landing drives on the finish of the second quarter.

Each the Buccaneers and Saints clawed their approach again into the sport within the second half, and wound up successful.

Monday, Herbert was handcuffed as a result of he was with out his finest receiver, Keenan Allen, for a lot of the sport. Allen left with a again damage shortly after a 17-yard landing catch within the first quarter.

That scoring move was a sign of simply how harmful Herbert could be. He escaped a Saints blitz, rolled to his proper, and threw a pristine move to Allen slicing left to proper throughout the tip zone.

“In case you’ve obtained a man again there that’s stationary and may’t transfer, typically that’s laborious,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn stated. “However he confirmed that he can prolong performs and he can throw the ball, and also you noticed that tonight.”

Nonetheless, the frustration is mounting. One other blown double-digit lead. One other everlasting, silent flight dwelling.

In line with ESPN, even the nice Brees was 1-48 after falling behind by 17 factors or extra. Now, he’s 2-48.

“We’ve obtained to maintain shifting ahead,” Herbert stated. “The subsequent observe, the subsequent alternative to exit on the sphere, we now have to reap the benefits of it. It’s not going to vary by itself.”

Farmer reported from Los Angeles.

This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Instances.