Justin Herbert's record against every NFL team

*This article has since been updated to reflect Justin Herbert's record against each NFL team as of Jan. 9, 2022.

Entering the 2020 NFL Draft, Justin Herbert drew far less attention and hype, compared to Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa. Yet, he not only ended up with the best season among the three, Herbert arguably played better than any rookie in NFL history.

The Oregon prospect, who led the Ducks to a Pac-12 Championship in 2019, was the sixth overall pick and third quarterback taken in his draft class. He landed with the Los Angeles Chargers, Herbert's favorite team as a kid.

While not initially expected to see much playing time as a rookie, Herbert was forced to step in as the starter at the last minute of a Week 2 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

He held his own against Patrick Mahomes & Co. and eventually earned the permanent starting job by Week 5.

With Herbert running the offense, Los Angeles finished with a 6-9 record, with many of those losses by one possession.

The QB also set a number of NFL rookie records, including most touchdown passes (31) in a season and most 300-yard passing games. 

The 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year is once again off to a hot start in the 2021 NFL season. Let's examine Herbert's young career further, as we explore his regular season record against every NFL team. 

Herbert vs. the Denver Broncos

In his first meeting with the AFC West's Denver Broncos, Herbert threw three touchdown passes, but was picked off twice (a career high) in a narrow 31-30 loss in Week 8 of the 2020 season.

In his second meeting with his division rival, Herbert passed for just one touchdown — his 28th of the 2020 season, which broke the NFL rookie record, previously set by Baker Mayfield.  

Herbert also surpassed 4,000 passing yards in that Week 16 meeting, making him only the fourth rookie quarterback to reach the milestone. Cam Newton (2011), Andrew Luck (2012), and Jameis Winston (2015) are the others.

Herbert vs. the Kansas City Chiefs

Ahead of Week 2 of his rookie season, Herbert had no idea he would end up starting against that year's defending Super Bowl champion, the Chiefs.

Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor was scheduled to get the start but was ruled out during pregame after the team doctor accidentally punctured his lung while administering an injection.

Against one of the toughest opponents in the league, Herbert threw for 311 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and scored on a rushing touchdown in a 23-20 overtime loss.

In the process, Herbert became the third player in NFL history to pass for at least 300 yards and run for a touchdown in his first career game.

In Week 17 of the 2020 season, Herbert won his rematch with his division rival, who rested many of their starters in the matchup. 

Herbert finished the season with 31 passing touchdowns.

Herbert vs. the Las Vegas Raiders

Likewise with each of his AFC West opponents, Herbert ended his rookie season with a 1-1 record against the Las Vegas Raiders.

He lost his first meeting, 31-26, at home and repaid the Raiders with a 30-27 win on the road in Week 15.

Herbert one-upped Derek Carr and the Raiders on Oct. 4, 2021 by leading the Chargers to a decisive 28-14 win on Monday Night Football. The young QB threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.

Herbert vs. the New England Patriots

The only game in which Herbert did not record a passing touchdown during his rookie year was in Week 13 against the New England Patriots.

In the worst loss in Chargers history — a 45-0 blowout — Herbert completed a career-low 49.06% of his passes for 209 yards and was intercepted twice.

Herbert vs. the New Orleans Saints

Herbert enjoyed a much better outing under the spotlight of Monday Night Football in Week 5 of the 2020 season.

Against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, Herbert racked up 264 yards and four touchdowns in a 30–27 overtime defeat.

He became the first rookie to throw for four touchdown passes on Monday Night Football, and was later named Offensive Rookie of the Month.

Herbert also went on to become the first rookie quarterback with multiple touchdowns in seven straight games.

Herbert vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The week before his showdown with New Orleans, Herbert met Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Despite losing by a touchdown, Herbert recorded a 137.9 passer rating, a career high, as he completed 20 of his 25 passes for 290 yards, three touchdowns, and tossed one interception.  

Later that week, he was named the Chargers' starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.