Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargerskept rolling in Week 16, moving one step closer to clinching a playoff spot. Herbert looked like his usual self, delivering one of his best performances of the season.
The veteran quarterback earned an 88.1 PFF overall grade, his second-highest single-game grade of the season and the third-highest grade among all quarterbacks in Week 16. He has endured a few rough outings while playing through a broken hand, but against the Dallas Cowboys’ defense, he was nearly flawless.
Justin Herbert has always been one of the NFL’s best deep-ball throwers.
The Chargers signal-caller has had just one season in his career with a PFF deep passing grade below 80.0. And in Week 16, Herbert was back among the league’s elite, earning a 91.7 PFF deep passing grade.
Couple of Justin Herbert dimes for touchdowns pic.twitter.com/QBPbU7dkXz
— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) December 22, 2025
The story of the Chargers offense has long centered on protecting Justin Herbert. He has faced the third-highest pressure rate this season, and on those plays, his PFF overall grade sits at 60.4.
When Herbert is kept clean, that grade jumps to 91.3, the fifth-highest in the NFL.
The two throws above are perfect examples of why giving Herbert just enough time to throw in rhythm is so important. He has proven throughout his career to be one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, but no player can succeed at the rate he is currently being pressured.
On both plays, the pocket collapses quickly, yet Herbert has enough time to deliver two perfect touchdown throws.
Keeping Herbert clean and in rhythm is the key to this offense. He has consistently shown himself to be a quick processor who can dissect defenses when given enough time.
Beautiful anticipatory, tight window throw from Herbert pic.twitter.com/h9i0NKDj0M
— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) December 22, 2025
This play goes for just 14 yards, but it highlights how well Herbert processes information and plays with anticipation. Play-action from under center can be difficult for some quarterbacks because it requires them to turn their backs to the defense. That can lead to missed information, especially when linebackers do not bite on the play-action.
The Cowboys play the same coverage they present pre-snap, Cover 3. Herbert quickly recognizes it, hits his back foot and finds his receiver without hesitation. Not only does he throw with excellent anticipation, but the ball placement is perfect. He places the throw on the receiver’s back hip, protecting him from the incoming linebacker.
Herbert’s arm talent has never been questioned, and it has allowed him to make elite downfield throws throughout his career. Since 2020, on throws with a targeted depth of more than 40 yards, Herbert ranks eighth in attempts and owns a 95.4 PFF passing grade, the third-highest in the NFL.
Just your typical Cover-2 hole shot 45 yards downfield pic.twitter.com/9AZb7qJRU0
— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) December 22, 2025
This throw is a perfect example of a quarterback having “arm arrogance.” He knows he can fit throws into windows most quarterbacks would not even consider. The Cowboys are playing a standard Tampa-2 coverage, and one of the weak spots in that zone is the hole between the flat defender and the deep-half defender, but it is a difficult throw to make. That window typically opens quickly as the receiver clears the flat defender. Herbert, however, does not need to rush the decision because his arm talent allows him to compensate.
Herbert knows that if he can step up and create space to throw, he can beat the safety, who first has to account for the seam route from the inside receiver. It is rare to see a 50-yard Cover-2 hole shot, but Herbert has the arm strength to make it happen.
The throw beats the safety and is placed just far enough behind Quentin Johnston for him to elevate and make a strong contested catch.
Justin Herbert has not received enough credit for how he has carried this Chargers offense to victories. He is consistently under pressure, but once he gets a clean pocket, he makes defenses pay.
As the Chargers continue to stack wins, Herbert should be firmly in the MVP conversation.