The Los Angeles Chargers are preparing for their most difficult challenge of the season.
A wild card trip to Foxborough. A New England Patriots team that went 8-0 on the road. And a quarterback in Drake Maye who is playing at an MVP level in his first full season as a starter.
That reality shaped Justin Herbert‘s comments about Maye this week.
Herbert’s Assessment of Maye
Herbert was asked about the Patriots’ second-year quarterback ahead of Saturday’s matchup and did not hold back.
“He’s obviously very talented,” Herbert said. “He’s an incredible quarterback, and I’m going to enjoy watching him for years to come.”
The comment went beyond standard playoff-week pleasantries. Herbert followed it up by acknowledging what the rest of the league has already noticed about Maye.
“Every time you check on the scores, he has a big game,” Herbert said. “So I got a lot of respect for him as a quarterback.”
For a Chargers team preparing to face the No. 2 seed in the AFC, that observation is backed by reality.
The Numbers Behind Herbert’s Observation
Maye finished the regular season with 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions. He added 450 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns.
He led the NFL with a 72 percent completion rate and posted a 113.5 passer rating, breaking Tom Brady’s franchise single-season record. Against common opponents this season, Maye threw 14 touchdowns to 3 interceptions while going 6-0.
The Patriots offense is not loaded with Pro Bowl talent outside of Maye. But under head coach Mike Vrabel, New England ranks in the top 10 in both total offense and defense.
Herbert knows what it takes to succeed at this level. He threw for 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns while playing with a broken hand since Week 13.
Maye returned the respect when asked about Herbert earlier this week.
“I don’t know if I’ve met Justin,” Maye said. “I know him through people and heard great things. Obviously, I love his game. Love the way he throws the football. I have a lot of respect for Justin.”
What Saturday’s Matchup Actually Means
The Chargers sacrificed playoff seeding in Week 18 by resting starters. The decision was made to get players healthy, particularly Herbert, whose broken hand had limited his ability to operate the full playbook.
That gamble now faces its biggest test. The Chargers are heading into Foxborough to face arguably the most balanced team in the NFL. The Patriots feature a top-10 unit on both sides of the ball.
Los Angeles will need Herbert at full strength. This is Herbert’s sixth season. He is 0-2 in the playoffs with a 60.7 passer rating in those games.
Saturday offers a chance to change that narrative.
The #LACvsNE game plan: t.co/qJotUFJOHl
Final Word for the Chargers
Respect between franchise quarterbacks is earned. Herbert sees what Maye is building. Maye recognizes what Herbert has accomplished.
But Saturday will not be decided by pleasantries.
Herbert has prepared for this moment. The hand is healthier. The offense is rested.
Now the Chargers will find out if respect translates into results in Foxborough.
Chargers’ Justin Herbert Had Strong Words on Patriots’ Drake Maye