Chargers and Broncos face off in battle of former Oregon quarterbacks – San Diego Union-Tribune

To hear Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert tell the story, he and his Denver Broncos counterpart Bo Nix were like ships passing in the night, like ocean-going freighters pulling into port in poor visibility on a foggy Oregon evening There was next to nothing coming in and out of Coos Bay.

In fact, Herbert and Nix met at least once while Herbert was a senior at the University of Oregon, beginning his journey to becoming a Rose Bowl champion with the Ducks and a first-round pick by the Chargers in the 2020 NFL Draft, and while Nix was an Auburn was a newbie.

Nix led the Tigers to a comeback victory over Herbert and the Ducks on August 31, 2019, throwing for 177 yards and two touchdowns in his college debut. Herbert threw for 242 yards and a touchdown in the first of just two losses this season for Oregon, which beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

After three seasons at Auburn, Nix transferred to Oregon for the 2022 and 23 seasons, somewhat following in Herbert's footsteps. Their paths never officially crossed in Eugene, making Herbert's telling of the story more or less accurate, but they certainly knew each other, mostly through Herbert's brother Pat.

“I missed him (at Oregon) by a few years,” Herbert said of Nix. “Right now I haven't been able to see much (of Nix's games with the Broncos), but I've watched Oregon all these years and it's been great to see their success, especially his. I have nothing but respect for him.”

Of the 2019 game, Nix recently told Denver reporters: “It was a great head-to-head battle. They had a really good football team. I still remember them being one of the best defenses I played. Justin had a great game himself. It came down to the wire, and it was just a really good college football game that day.”

Now Herbert and Nix will meet on a football field for the first time since Auburn defeated Oregon 27-21 in a neutral site game in Arlington, Texas. Nix and the Broncos host Herbert and the Chargers in Denver on Sunday. The Broncos have won three in a row and the Chargers have lost two in a row.

May the better former Ducks quarterback win.

In fact, it might come down to which quarterback is having the better day.

The Chargers and Broncos have two of the best defenses in the NFL through the first five weeks of the season. The Chargers have given up a league-low 12.5 points per game when splitting their first four games. The Broncos (3-2) have given up an average of 14.6 points.

However, neither team lived up to expectations offensively. The Chargers, in particular, have failed to take full advantage of their quarterback's dynamic passing abilities. Herbert ranks 31st among all quarterbacks in the NFL in total passing yards with 578 yards, a 144.5 average.

Herbert is 17th with an average rushing distance of 6.4 yards. He is 30th with 91 attempts, an average of 22.75. He is 30th with 59 completions, an average of 14.75. He is 17th with five touchdown passes, an average of 1.25 per game. Those are career lows in all categories across four games in a season.

Some of the paltry stats can be attributed to a right ankle sprain Herbert suffered during the Chargers' win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 2, a debilitating injury that limited his ability to land and throw with his usual accuracy and also to escape attacking defenders.

According to offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the Chargers have adjusted their game plan to accommodate Herbert. But after a week without rest, Herbert and the Chargers' offense could be closer to full strength on Sunday. Herbert reported improved progress in his rehabilitation exercises.

Healthy or not, effective or not, Herbert will not be overlooked.