Week 1 of the NFL season delivered a major surprise as the Arizona Cardinals claimed a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, led by Justin Herbert. The Cardinals overcame the heavily favored Chargers, putting Herbert’s early-season form under scrutiny.
Dan Orlovsky’s Take on Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts
Following the unexpected loss, former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky faced questions about his views on Herbert during an ESPN 2 appearance on “Unsportsmanlike” with Evan Cohen, Chris Canty, and Michelle Smallmon. Orlovsky addressed why he favors Herbert over quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, who has a Super Bowl win under his belt and secured a Week 1 victory against the Washington Commanders by a narrow margin of 24-22.
Jalen Hurts completed 14 of 25 passes, throwing for 203 yards and three touchdowns, with an additional rushing touchdown. Orlovsky explained that his initial opinion of Hurts was shaped by his college career, doubting the Eagles’ transition from Carson Wentz to Hurts. However, Orlovsky stated he has “removed any doubts” after witnessing Hurts’ NFL performances.
“He’s had historically good performances in the league. Last week was awful,” Orlovsky admitted, asserting, “I’m a Hurts guy, now.”
Orlovsky’s Support for Herbert
Orlovsky remains a staunch supporter of Herbert, as evidenced by his comments on “The Pat McAfee Show.” He predicted that Herbert would be a top contender for the MVP discussion by Thanksgiving and expressed a preference for the Chargers over the Chiefs in the AFC West.
In Week 1, Herbert completed 17 of 27 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown but threw a pivotal interception in the Chargers’ 26-14 defeat. Arizona’s Jacoby Brissett led with 277 passing yards and a touchdown, contributing to the Cardinals’ 393 yards of total offense.
Future Prospects for Herbert and the Chargers
As the season progresses, Herbert aims to lead the Chargers on a successful playoff run, as he has not yet secured a postseason victory, holding a 0-3 record in playoff attempts. The Chargers seek redemption for their Week 1 setback when they face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, September 20, at 4:05 p.m. ET.