The two-division rival quarterbacks have taken the NFL over with breaking records and monstrous numbers and could be the next great QB rivalry.
Over the course of NFL history, quarterback duels have helped market games. From Elway vs. Montana to Manning vs. Brady, the potential quarterback duel in the AFC West could be just as meaningful.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is off to the greatest start through three years of starting. From his incredible 114 touchdowns to 24 interceptions, to hosting three straight AFC Championship games.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback is technically off to an even quicker start, as he started 15 games as a rookie, opposed to Mahomes’ lone-start during his rookie campaign.
Herbert won rookie offensive player of the year on his way to breaking the single-season rookie passing touchdowns record. Herbert threw for 31 touchdowns, breaking the record set by Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield in 2018.
In Week 2 of last season, we saw Mahomes and Herbert duel it out. The Chiefs narrowly defeated the Chargers in overtime 23-20. Both quarterbacks threw for over 300 yards in the game.
The Chargers beat the Chiefs by 17 in Week 17. But this happened without Mahomes. As the Chiefs already secured the top seed, Chad Henne got the start instead.
One notable piece to any rivalry is competitiveness. Though the first game was competitive, the Chiefs roster is more talented and reliable. One Chargers player to keep an eye on is safety Derwin James.
He was a First-Team All-Pro in 2018 as a rookie. The Chargers went 12-4 with a playoff win over the Baltimore Ravens. But since James has been injury-plagued, playing just five games in the last two seasons, according to Pro Football Reference.
Besides looking at the statistics and their previous matchup, their play styles will also help gravitate fan interest. Mahomes and Herbert have both shown the ability to make any throw asked and at a high level.
Though the case is still out on Herbert’s potential, these two could be the next great quarterback rivalry. Given their production and age, the two in-division quarterbacks should see each other a lot over the next decade.
