While the Chargers defense has remained consistent through most of the season, it’s often been the offense’s up-and-down play that’s kept the team from putting together the elusive four-quarter game.
Now, when they need it most, the Chargers are on their highest offensive swing of the season.
They scored on seven consecutive drives after their game-opening punt Saturday before Herbert and many of the starters retreated to the sideline.
Combined with the second half of a Week 16 win over the Broncos, the Chargers have scored 11 of the last 13 drives that had Herbert at quarterback or didn’t end with a clock-killing kneel-down. They matched a then-season-high in points against the Broncos and eclipsed it against the Patriots.
“I feel like we’re right where we’re supposed to be,” receiver Quentin Johnston said Saturday. “We don’t want to peak too early as far as going into the playoffs but I feel like we’re doing what we’re doing best. As long as we keep elevating each week, I feel like we’ll be alright.”
Johnston had five catches for 48 yards Saturday while former Texas Christian University teammate Davis caught a touchdown pass for the second consecutive game. Davis, a second-year receiver whose impact was mostly limited to being a field-flipping returner, didn’t have a touchdown on offense before last week’s go-ahead score in the fourth quarter.
The first-quarter touchdown against the Patriots might have been more impressive than last week’s clutch play as Davis soared to snare the ball with his fingertips.
“Justin threw a dime and all I did was make a good play,” Davis said. “I just did what I do, what I prepared to do all week, which is to run away from my man.”
Davis has 60 yards receiving on four catches in the last two games, surpassing his total yardage of 47 from the first 14 weeks.
