Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) – Cincinnati Bengals (4-7): 34-27
The Chargers could have panicked. They led by 21 points in the third quarter and seemed headed for quiet success. But the Bengals came back. In just thirteen minutes, Ja'Marr Chase (7 rec, 75 yards, 2 TDs), Tee Higgins (9 rec, 148 yards, 1 TD) and Chase again, were sent into the end zone by Joe Burrow (28/ 50, 356 yards, 3 TDs).
Cincinnati found itself tied (27-27). But Los Angeles did not panic. The defense tightened the game, helped by two missed kicks by Evan McPherson. And then the attack finally woke up. In extremis.
45 seconds from time, Justin Herbert (17/36, 297 yards, 2 TDs) found Ladd McKonkey (6 rec, 123 yards) for 28 yards, then again for 27 lengths. But it's JK Dobbins (11 races, 56 yards, 2 TDs) who finishes the job with a 29-yard touchdown run for the win with 18 seconds remaining. Too little time for the Bengals to have a real chance of moving up the field.
The Chargers start (almost) strong
Los Angeles did not immediately take control of the game. But after an opening punt, Herbert and his teammates torture the visitors. Will Dissly (4 rec, 80 yards, 1 TD) is the first to score. He is followed by Quentin Johnston (2 rec, 48 yards, 1 TD) and JK Dobbins. The Bengals don't do better than two field goals. The score is 24-6 at the break.
Then 27-6 after a Cameron Dicker kick.
Herbert is excellent, the defense is solid. This seems like a no-brainer for the Chargers.
The Bengals are still making stats for nothing
Let down by their defense at the start of the match, Joe Burrow and his attacking teammates gained momentum as the game progressed. Enough to come back, but once again not enough to finish the job.
Because they were then dropped by the special teams. Twice, at 48 and 51 yards, Evan McPherson could have given them the advantage in the last quarter. But the kicker sent the ball too far left on each attempt.
Cincinnati leaves with another cruel defeat in its baggage, and the playoffs slipping away. Quite the opposite of the Chargers, who are being built in the shadow of the AFC greats, but could well be difficult to play in the month of January.
