COSTA MESA, Calif. -- It's been an interesting three weeks for Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
He led his team to a win on the road against Washington, a loss to the Dallas Cowboys on a last-second field goal and then a big-time, signature win over over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. And then suddenly, without any warning, the 6-foot-6 kid who was a 4.01 biology major, who grew up a half-mile from the Oregon Ducks' football stadium and spent his free time fishing behind Albertsons, was described as a "gangster quarterback."
This term came from Chargers first-year head coach Brandon Staley, who led the Los Angeles Rams to the No. 1 defense in the league last year before being hired by the Chargers. He has combined with his second-year quarterback to lead his new team to a 2-1 record heading to a Monday night showdown with the undefeated Las Vegas Raiders (3-0) at SoFi Stadium (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Talk about gangster.
"I don't throw it around loosely," Staley said of the term. "When I say that, I mean it. For people in football and people that watch sports, competition, it has a certain implication. It's a good one."
Herbert was good in Kansas City. "Gangster" good. No turnovers, four touchdown passes -- including a game-winner to Mike Williams with 32 seconds left. He was poised and pointed, checking down when necessary and showing strength that not amazed, but drew praise from his teammates on both sides of the ball.
"I love 10," said safety Derwin James Jr. of his QB. "I love 10 back there. I love him at all times. We're trying to get the ball to him as much as we can. We know what they're going to do with it. When our offense gets stopped, they're really stopping themselves. We want to get the ball to them as much as we can. 10's a player, man."
And that was important, especially after the Dallas game, where penalties (the Chargers had two touchdowns and six first downs called back) and mistakes (Herbert threw two interceptions, including one in the Dallas end zone) cost the Chargers a win.
"You have to play smart ball against these guys ... they are about as good as it gets," Herbert said. "You have to move on from the last one."
Some thought he would move on and come back strong; those who know him thought he'd come back even stronger than that.
"I felt like he really played the position how you need to," Staley said. "He just played the position as a high level. He showed high-level toughness and then certainly in a two-minute drill, the big throw to Keenan Allen and then finishing off with Mike (Williams).
"I felt like Justin was the best player on the field. We wanted to put the ball in our offense's hand. Time was on our side."
How Herbert responds this next game will be incredibly telling. What can Herbert do for an encore in what could be a showdown for first place in the AFC West? The Raiders' defense is very different than any the Chargers have played to date, but they might have an advantage since their former defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley, is running Las Vegas' defense.
Does that favor Herbert? Maybe, but not necessarily. Herbert is smart, but so is Bradley.
"They're doing a really good job of coaching on the defense side of things, changing the culture on that defense," Staley said. "That's why they are 3-0 because they've got really good coaches and really good personnel. It's going to be a good football game. I'm excited to dive into the preparation."
Which is, no doubt, what Herbert is doing as well while enjoying (for the plane ride home anyway) the recent big win. Now it's back to work, something he's become very proficient at doing. It's been interesting to watch him evolve, with the benefit of an in-person offseason, new coaches and confidence that suits him well.
"And a toughness about him," Staley keeps saying.
That toughness translated to the defense, which protected the lead Herbert gave them with 32 seconds left thanks to star defensive end Joey Bosa (swollen left foot) and James (separated shoulder) playing through injuries. Staley has a name for them, too, "Warriors."
Warriors and gangsters.
"We're fortunate we have a gangster quarterback," Staley said. "He made some incredible throws with guys right on him. He certainly came through for us."