Tyler Dragon, USA TODAYMon, December 1, 2025 at 3:12 AM UTC·3 min readINGLEWOOD, CA — Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers’ 31-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders didn’t come without a scare.
Herbert left the game briefly in the first half due to a fracture in his left hand. He returned to the game with a white glove on the injured hand.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“He’s as tough as they come. Taped it up with a glove,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “He played a great game.”
Sunday’s victory improved the Chargers (8-4) to 4-0 in the AFC West, and they currently occupy fifth place in the AFC playoff picture.
However, Herbert’s health looms large. Herbert is scheduled to undergo a procedure to repair his left hand on Monday, a week before the Chargers host the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chargers quarterback is optimistic he’ll be able to play in the prime-time game.
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Week 1: The New England Patriots' Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.
Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.
Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
2 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: The New England Patriots' Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.3 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.4 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.Herbert’s been under constant pressure this season as the Chargers adjust to life without starting offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle), who are both out for the year.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHerbert faced pressure an NFL-high 188 times entering Week 13, according to Pro Football Focus. He was sacked three times and hit another four times Sunday.
The Chargers can ill-afford to be without Herbert for any duration if they hope to get into the playoffs. Los Angeles is currently second in the AFC West behind the Denver Broncos (9-2). Surpassing Denver in the division appears unlikely, so a wild-card spot seems to be the team's most realistic path to the postseason. Sunday’s win gave the Chargers a 61% chance to reach the postseason as the calendar flips to the December stretch run.
However, the Chargers are approaching a daunting five-game stretch to close the regular season as they face the Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and Broncos to end the year. All five opponents are .500 or better and in the playoff hunt. Week 13’s tilt was a game the Chargers needed to have as they embark on a five-game gauntlet.
"We got some great teams coming up, all playoff caliber teams," Chargers safety Derwin James said. “This was a big win moving forward. And any time you can stay 4-0 on the division, you give yourself a chance with five games left.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementChargers players know what’s on the horizon, beginning with the Eagles, but they insist they aren’t looking too far ahead.
“For us to be able to come away with a win (Sunday) was big for us,” Herbert said. “I think it's just week by week. We got to do our job. Especially when we when we play on Sundays, or whether we're playing on Monday. All we can control is our attitude, our effort, and how we take care of business. Anything outside of that is out of our control. You can monitor it, but you can't do too much to change it.”
The Chargers did “take care of business” against the lowly Raiders (2-10). But it came with an injury scare. The Chargers’ most indispensable player needs a fracture in his left non-throwing hand repaired, and questions about the team’s ability to protect him are bound to persist.
All the while, the next handful of games will determine their playoff fate.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chargers score key win ahead of schedule's brutal final stretch
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