I could go on, but you get the point. The decision to go from midfielder was a bold one as the Raiders were in full swing and would have short pitch with a failed conversion. But coach Brandon Staley tries to create a winning culture based on an unwavering confidence that players will do the right things in tough times, a belief that was rewarded six games later when running back Austin Ekeler scored from 11. , leaving the Raiders and everything here we go again thoughts in its wake.

“It’s one of those games that we maybe didn’t win last year,” Herbert said, later adding the collective personality change: “It’s the belief – looking at yourself in the caucus and knowing the situation and understanding that we have the right guys, we have the right play choices, and we know what we’re doing. We just have to run it. “

This attitude begins with Staley, a first year head coach who worked at the Division III level a few years ago. The former Rams defensive coordinator is ruthless in his approach. While some train to survive matches, relying on preemptive defenses and conservative approaches, Staley trains to thrive. He doesn’t try to keep a lead as much as he tries to capitalize on it, taking calculated bets where others can’t.

The Chargers (3-1), who tied with the Raiders atop AFC West, converted on two of three fourth downs on Monday. Against the Chiefs, they were 1 to 1. Ditto against the Cowboys. His willingness to keep the offense on the pitch is based not only on analysis and confrontation, but also on complete confidence in his quarterback and the desire to have the ball in his hands in critical situations.

Herbert, who had 25 of 38 passes for 222 yards with three touchdowns, has all the physical tools to succeed, but it’s his ability to successfully read situations and covers that takes his game to the next level. In the final minute against the Chiefs, he interrupted a running game because he spotted head-to-head cover on the outside, then punched Mike Williams for the deciding score. Against the Raiders, fourth and second, he immediately diagnosed linebacker Denzel Perryman would be paired with Cook and knew that was where he needed to go. For one thing, Cook is six inches taller than Perryman. On the other hand, Perryman is a downhill batsman who struggles to cover. The thought process was as precise as the high and soft throw.

Any nervousness Chargers fans might have felt about the outcome dissipated six games later when Ekeler scored. But the fact that there were moments of anxiety was shocking given the Chargers’ dominance in the first half, when Herbert completed 20 of 25 passes for 175 yards and three scores, and the defense limited them. Raiders at 51 yards of attack, the least for a first half in Jon Gruden’s head coaching career, eclipsing the 62 yards the Bucs won in 2006 when he was there.