The Los Angeles Chargers went right down the field on the Baltimore Ravens to start the game. Justin Herbert capped a perfect 9-play drive with a touchdown run from five yards out to put the Chargers up 7-0.
But the Ravens got back into it, just as you knew they would. The Chargers, needing to go blow for blow with the AFC North power, couldn't land any more haymakers. Perhaps the biggest play of the game was a play that didn't happen.
After the Ravens scored a touchdown to take a 23-16 lead, the Chargers needed a big answer in order to keep pace. Facing a 3rd-and-6 from their own 34-yard line, offensive coordinator Greg Roman drew up a perfect play that saw Quentin Johnston come open over the middle of the field. Herbert saw him and put the ball right on his hands, but he dropped it.
Quentin Johnston in-game PFF grade:
— All-22 (@All22_PFF) November 26, 2024
🟧 51.2
pic.twitter.com/DtJNLjudgO
The shot doesn't show it, but he might have run for 50 yards, maybe more, if he catches that ball. Later in the game, when the Ravens had things more well in hand, Johnston dropped another pass. He finished the game without a catch.
Quentin Johnston's problems reared their ugly head on Monday Night Football
This summer, there were plenty of reports out of training camp centered around how much Johnston was struggling with drops. After a poor rookie season, things did not look good for him.
But he has overachieved this season and the fact that he has found the end zone six times helps mask the fact that he just hasn't been very good. He has just 22 receptions in 11 games.
It's hard to put the loss on one play, but Johnston's drop impacted this game in a huge way on Monday night.
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