Herbert could add to rookie marks when Chargers host Broncos

Justin Herbert is on verge of one of best statistical years by a rookie quarterback in NFL history. t bad for someone who didn't kw how much he was going to play at beginning of season.

Los Angeles Chargers signal caller goes into Sunday's game against Denver Broncos already with most 300-yard passing games by a rookie. He has also tied Baker Mayfield's 2018 mark of 27 touchdown passes.

Herbert, sixth overall pick in April draft and third QB taken, is also 219 yards away from becoming fourth rookie to throw for at least 4,000 yards. He would need 595 yards this week and in Jan. 3 finale at Kansas City to overtake Andrew Luck's record of 4,374 yards in 2012.

“It would have been tough to imagine early on, especially t kwing when or if I’d play this year, ” said Herbert about his record-setting season. “It’s one of those things that (QB) coach (Pep) Hamilton and I talked about. He said I needed to be ready when and if time came. So when it came around — and it was pretty quick turnaround — I felt pretty prepared to go in.”

Herbert struggled during a stretch against Dolphins, Bills and Patriots, but he has bounced back by directing winning drives against Falcons and Raiders. Chargers (5-9) come into game looking for ir first three-game winning streak in two years.

Broncos are also 5-9 but have dropped three of ir last four. Drew Lock has been inconsistent in his second season but general manr John Elway gave his young quarterback a vote of confidence this week.

“He’s gone through his reads better and dumped some things off and continued to use experience to get better,” Elway told team’s website. “Obviously, inconsistency, that comes with being young, especially if you’re young and you’ve got young guys around you … like we do. ... I think that Drew’s had an up-and-down year, but we still like what we see in him and still think that he’s got a chance to be a very good quarterback in this league.”

DOWN TO WIRE

All four of Los Angeles' games against division opponents have been decided on final play. It had a 21-point lead midway through third quarter at Denver on v. 1 before Broncos rallied for a 31-30 victory. Lock directed a 14-play, 81-play drive, culminating in a 1-yard TD pass to K.J. Hamler.

Chargers snapped a nine-game losing streak in AFC West against Raiders on Herbert's 1-yard sneak in overtime.

CORNERBACK CONCERNS

Denver’s depleted cornerback corps, which has lost starters Bryce Callahan (foot) and A.J. Bouye (suspension) in addition to Kevin Tolliver II, Duke Dawson and Essang Bassey to season-ending knee injuries this month, allowed a combined 19 catches for 259 yards to Bills’ duo of Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley last week. y’ll face Chargers with De’Vante Bausby, rookie Michael Ojemudia (who was ejected for fighting last week), safety-by-trade Will Parks and maybe newcomers Nate Hairston and Parnell Motley, recently plucked off or teams’ practice squads.

RUNNING ON EMPTY?

Chargers have struggled stopping run over last month. y have allowed more than 150 rushing yards in three of past four games, with quarterbacks going over 30 yards. Lock isn't kwn as much of a scrambling quarterback, but he did have 37 yards last week.

Los Angeles' bigger concern should be containing duo of Phillip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon. Three of Lindsay's eight biggest carries have come against Chargers, including a 55-yard touchdown in first meeting. Gordon, who spent five seasons with Bolts before coming to Denver, was held to 26 yards in first game.

OLD FRIEND

Broncos didn’t face former Denver CB Chris Harris Jr. last time y played Chargers.

“Chris was a great player here for Broncos for many, many years,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. “Obviously, a great nickel, a very good corner, good football player, good instincts, sees game through a lens that is wider and deeper than most, and can be a good leader within defensive back room as far as pointing out things and mentoring and tutoring young defensive backs. He has a lot of great qualities to him and he’s been playing good w since he’s gotten back into lineup.”

KEEP AN EYE ON

Chargers wide receiver Tyron Johnson, who has a touchdown in past two games along with 11 receptions for 116 yards.

(Im Courtesy: AP)