Justin Herbert simply wasn't going to let the Los Angeles Chargers lose the game and reminded his team just how tough he is.
The quarterback, playing through multiple injuries including a sprained left ankle, didn't hesitate to run during the Chargers' first drive of the second half.
Herbert gained 18 yards on the play, keeping the drive alive as they eventually scored a touchdown to begin a rally that would result in a 34-27 win over the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. The Chargers (9-6) jumped over the Broncos (9-6) into sixth place in the AFC standings and increased their odds of earning a playoff berth.
Herbert said the Chargers were already in playoff mode entering the game.
"We talked about it all week, how important these games are especially in December and January, and we knew the implications, and we emphasized all week: This is a playoff game to us," Herbert told reporters after the game. "It's the environment, it's the team -- they're obviously a very talented, incredible team -- so for us to be able to pull away with one there, I thought it was awesome for us."
Herbert completed 23-of-31 passes for 284 yards with two touchdowns and one interception as the Chargers rallied from an 24-13 second half deficit. Herbert was locked in from the start of the game, but he went next level in the second half, completing 11 of his 16 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, both in the fourth quarter.
He didn't throw a more impressive and athletic pass than his 19-yard strike to wide receiver Derius Davis for the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Herbert scrambled left and threw across his body off his left foot to Davis with 12:29 remaining.
"We had him on a little bubble out of the backfield," Herbert told reporters after the game. "I scrambled out, saw the pressure and he just turned upfield and made an incredible play."
Herbert produced another efficient performance throwing the football, but it was his legs that inspired the team.
A few plays after his 18-yard run, Herbert took off on a third-and-13 play from the Denver 18. Herbert scrambled to his right and instead of running out of the bounds, he slid and took a late hit from Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad. Strnad was penalized for a late hit, giving the Chargers an automatic first down.
Herbert was playing with a brace on his left ankle and also dealing with sore left leg and he has been experiencing swelling in his knee in recent weeks.
"It speaks to the leadership and the person that he is," Los Angeles linebacker Khalil Mack told reporters after the game. "Laying his body on the line for us, that does a hell of a thing to a team when you got a quarterback that's fighting through what he's fighting through and laying his body out there for us and doing what he does.
"Makes you want to fight even harder."
Los Angeles coach Jim Harbaugh was asked after the game if Herbert willed the Chargers to the win.
"I would not disagree with that at all," Harbaugh told reporters.