Chargers prove Justin Herbert-Joe Lombardi combo can win shootouts

Chargers coach Brandon Staley didn’t go as far as saying that he’ll go for it on fourth-and-2 from anywhere on the field in any situation, but he did say gaining 2 yards isn’t an issue for his offense filled with playmakers.

Staley’s gutsy decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 from the Chargers’ 24-yard line in the third quarter changed the momentum of a wild 47-42 shootout victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.

Austin Ekeler’s 9-yard run to convert the fourth-and-2 came at a crucial time because the Chargers appeared deflated after Browns running back Nick Chubb galloped for a 52-yard rushing touchdown and a 27-13 lead with 12:29 in the third quarter.

The chaotic game was far from over, but Ekeler’s run sparked the Chargers’ offense with quarterback Justin Herbert delivering possibly the best game of his young career.

The Chargers converted a second fourth down on the drive and ended it with a 9-yard touchdown run from Herbert. Then the madness ensued with the Chargers and Browns trading leads four more times and combining for 41 points in the fourth quarter.

Staley called Herbert a superstar following his sensational five-touchdown performance, which catapulted him to the top of most MVP conversations along with Arizona’s Kyler Murray, Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady, Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Dallas’ Dak Prescott.

The Chargers are sitting pretty at 4-1 with a red-hot quarterback who has an abundance of playmakers with Ekeler, tight end Jared Cook and wide receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.

So, yeah, 2 yards isn’t an issue for this Chargers’ offense, but Staley didn’t want to be the sole focus for his aggressiveness on fourth downs.

“Fourth-and-2 isn’t a big deal for us,” Staley said. “I felt like (offensive coordinator) Joe Lombardi was fantastic today. I can’t say enough about him and our entire offensive staff. Our guys are executing well in those ‘got-to-have-it’ situations.”

Lombardi is the play-caller for one of the best offenses in the NFL. He deserves credit for the Chargers’ early success this season because many had their doubts about him.

The Chargers stood out on paper with a loaded offensive depth chart, but pundits couldn’t get over Lombardi’s failed stint as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2014 to 2015.

Lombardi couldn’t score with quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is now with the Rams, and wide receiver Calvin Johnson, a generational talent who now resides in the Hall of Fame.

Many thought if Lombardi couldn’t do it in Detroit with those players, then he had no business coaching Herbert, who was coming off a memorable rookie season.

But there has been no regression for Herbert. He has topped his record-breaking rookie season through five weeks and is a legitimate star who is leading the Chargers to thrilling fourth-quarter comebacks.

“Sometimes you gotta join up with the right people at the right time and people that believe in you and I know that I believe in him,” Staley said about Lombardi. “I know that he’s learned a lot from that (Detroit) experience. Sometimes as competitors, you’ve got to learn from when it doesn’t go well, and I know that Joe learned a lot from that experience.”

Staley decides when to go for it on fourth down, but Lombardi is the one calling the right plays for Herbert and his offense to convert them. The Chargers have converted seven of eight fourth-down attempts this season and the one they didn’t get was on a fake-punt attempt against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4.

Herbert has been one of the best quarterbacks at converting third downs and fourth downs since he entered the league. He completed a jaw-dropping 37-yard pass to Allen to convert a crucial third-and-5 in the fourth quarter Sunday.

One of Herbert’s four passing touchdowns against the Browns came on third down. That was his 18th touchdown pass on third down, the most in the NFL since 2020.

Herbert is gaining first downs because of Lombardi’s play-calling and his many playmakers. Ekeler has seven touchdowns and Williams has six, ranking first and third, respectively, in the league through Sunday’s games.

Herbert entered the MVP conversation against the Browns, but the Chargers also announced that their offense can win a shootout and their offensive coordinator deserves credit for that.

ABOUSHI SET FOR SURGERY

Chargers right guard Oday Aboushi sustained a torn ACL in the win against the Browns, according to Staley.

He’s scheduled to have surgery, which will likely end his first season with the Chargers.

Aboushi injured his knee in the first quarter and was replaced by Michael Schofield. Staley said the current plan is to have Schofield start at right guard, but he didn’t rule out the possibility of looking for outside help.

Staley also mentioned rookie Brenden Jaimes is a candidate to play right guard.