Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, in his third career start -- first on the road, looked every bit the veteran.
On the Chargers' fifth play of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Herbert dropped back and heaved the ball 53 yards to Tyron Johnson, just called up from the practice squad, for a game-tying touchdown. Herbert took the hit after the throw, but looked up in time to see the score.
everyone meet tyron johnson 👀@_TBJXIII | #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/sI6c6PK6aO
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) October 4, 2020
Herbert's touchdown pass to Johnson had an air distance of 61.1 yards (the distance the ball flew from Herbert's hands to the receiver's), the longest touchdown pass by anyone in the past two seasons, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Another practice squad success story, Michael Davis, put the Chargers ahead with a 78-yard pick-six of Tom Brady. Davis stepped in front of the Buccaneers' receiver at the Chargers' 22-yard line and took it in for the score to put the Chargers up 14-7.
JACKKKKK @MikeyQuince | #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/pOLf1lwVwm
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) October 4, 2020
It was Brady's fourth pick-six thrown in his last six games and second he's thrown this season. Brady has never thrown three pick-sixes in a season.
Herbert struck again late in the third quarter, launching a 72-yard touchdown to Jalen Guyton right to give the Chargers a 31-28 lead.
that boy clean 🧼@_dreamjg | #BudLightCelly pic.twitter.com/z6ufMHTsD7
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) October 4, 2020
The score came after Brady and the Bucs erased a 17-point deficit to take a 28-24 lead.