close
close

Association-anemone

Bite-sized brilliance in every update

    • Bengals-Chargers: Justin Herbert leads scoring after LA blows away 21-point lead to beat Cincinnati 34-27
    asane

    Bengals-Chargers: Justin Herbert leads scoring after LA blows away 21-point lead to beat Cincinnati 34-27

    Online Niel Posted on

    The Cincinnati Bengals had a great rally to come back from 21 points down to tie Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was impressive.

    And ultimately meaningless.

    The Bengals have a lot of problems after their comeback did not result in a win. Evan McPherson missed two field goals in the fourth quarter, allowing the Chargers to reverse what would have been a massive collapse and victory, 34-27, on Sunday night.

    Justin Herbert hit two big passes to Ladd McConkey in the final minute to get the Chargers within field goal range before JK Dobbins took care of things himself, breaking off a 29-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left for the win.

    The Bengals could technically win a Super Bowl this season, but they would probably have to win every game between now and early February to do it. Realistically, we saw the Bengals’ slim playoff hopes disappear Sunday night. The Bengals are 4-7 with the loss. The 27-6 comeback made for a fun game, but for the Bengals it was just another loss.

    This loss could spell the end of their playoff hopes. The Chargers can feel good about their playoff chances after pulling off a win they almost gave away. In previous years, the Chargers would have blown this type of game. This is what they became known for. But Herbert rallied at the right time and Dobbins shut the door to save an embarrassing loss.

    Los Angeles Chargers running back JK Dobbins (27) leaps into the end zone for a rushing touchdown in front of Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Josh Newton (28) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, 17 November 2024 in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)Los Angeles Chargers running back JK Dobbins (27) leaps into the end zone for a rushing touchdown in front of Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Josh Newton (28) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, 17 November 2024 in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

    Chargers running back JK Dobbins scored the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter in Los Angeles’ win over Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

    The Chargers had a huge first half. Cincinnati hit a field goal for a 3-0 lead, but the rest of the first inning belonged to the Chargers.

    Herbert was fantastic in the first half, completing 10 of 14 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. One went to Will Dissly and the other to Quentin Johnston. A late first-half drive resulted in a field goal, and the Chargers led 24-6 at halftime.

    The Bengals were outscored 272-126 before halftime. It looked like Los Angeles was on its way to a one-sided victory.

    Then the Bengals, with their season hanging in the balance, came alive. Joe Burrow got hot. Touchdown passes to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins cut Los Angeles’ lead to 27-20. A fumble by Herbert inside Bengals territory gave Cincinnati even more momentum. Burrow escaped a couple of sack attempts on the ensuing drive and hit Chase for another touchdown. Cincinnati was terrible in the first half and trailed 27-6 at one point, but scored 21 straight points to tie the game early in the fourth quarter.

    The Bengals were rushing back and the Chargers were exploding.

    The Bengals were in position to take a late lead, but the normally reliable McPherson missed a field goal. The Chargers couldn’t capitalize, with a holding penalty erasing a Herbert first-down pass, then a bad Herbert miss on a wide-open McConkey on a third-down replay.

    As the Chargers let the Bengals back into the game, Herbert helped give them a fourth-quarter fumble, McConkey’s miss and the offense’s general ineffectiveness. Los Angeles got just one field goal after halftime as the Bengals had the scoring barrage.

    After Herbert missed McConkey, the Bengals had one more chance to complete the comeback. They drove into Chargers territory in the final minutes of regulation. Burrow continued to hit huge passes to help the Bengals to the field goal. But McPherson missed a 51-yard attempt with less than two minutes left.

    Herbert followed with three straight incompletions and the Chargers punted, giving the Bengals another chance to win the game. Cincinnati threw it right back.

    That gave Herbert a chance. He hit two passes to McConkey, one for 28 yards and the other for 27 yards, which apparently put the Chargers in position for a field goal. But Dobbins broke a long run and bounced into the end zone for the winning score.

    There are seven weeks left in the season and a lot can change in that time, but it looks like we can figure out the seven AFC playoff teams.

    The Bills, Chiefs and Texans are heavy favorites to win their divisions. The Steelers lead the AFC North, but the Ravens can’t be shut out, and the team that doesn’t win the division will get a wild card. The Chargers and surprising Broncos look like the other two wild-card teams. Sunday night’s loss puts the Bengals out of the postseason picture.

    The Bengals were competitive in most of the losses, including a wild comeback to tie Sunday night’s game. It almost won’t be good enough for Cincinnati when the playoff spots are awarded.

    LIVE COVERAGE HAS ENDED44 updates

    • A thrilling win for the Chargers, who are now 2 games back of Kansas City in the AFC West

    • Chargers take a timeout with three seconds left

      Cincinnati has the ball just past midfield for this Hail Mary attempt

    • JK Dobbins runs for a 29-yard touchdown

      This game was great, and JK Dobbins gave the Chargers a late lead with 18 seconds left.

    • Ladd McConkey AGAIN

      That’s a crazy throw with so much pressure in front of Justin Herbert.

    • Herbert to McConkey for a big play on the sideline

      Huge win for LA to try and get into scoring range for Cameron Dicker

    • The Chargers force a Bengals punt, and Justin Herbert will get another chance

      No deviation can delay. The Chargers will start at the 16 and have 45 seconds and two timeouts to try to get into field goal range

    • Chargers work 3 and VERY fast

      Three incomplete passes and the kick took just 22 seconds off the clock and the Bengals came back with two timeouts and 1:26 left.

    • McPherson misses again!

      This time, from 51 yards, both shot to the left. The Chargers now take over from the 41-yard line. with one more opportunity to move forward

    • Joe Burrow shone tonight

      At the two-minute warning, Burrow is 27-for-42 for 329 yards and three touchdowns with Tee Higgins as the leading receiver with nine catches for 148 yards and a touchdown.

    • The holding penalty wipes out the 3rd down pass and the Chargers will punt

      Tough one for the Chargers after Justin Herbert hit Joshua Palmer to convert a 3rd and 4 that was called back for a Rashawn Slater holding. After the punt, the Bengals would take over in their own end with the game still tied and just under 5:30 left in regulation.

    • Evan McPherson misses from 48 yards

      Tied at 27 with 7:31 to play, the Chargers have a chance to break the tie as their drive will begin at the 38-yard line.

    • Joe Burrow with a 15 yard scamper for a huge third down conversion

      Keeps the drive alive and reaches the Chargers’ 34-yard line with eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

    • This Cincinnati offense has some magic

    • Cincinnati has another stop

      The Chargers offense was non-existent in the second half. After opening the second half with a field goal drive, their three drives since then have been 13 plays for 51 yards with two scores and a fumble. The Bengals got it with just over 11 minutes left, with a chance to take the lead after another goal by JK Scott.

    • Score two touchdowns for Ja’Marr Chase

      These two long-time tigers are simply inevitable. Tie game in Los Angeles.

    • Just some outrageous stuff from Joe Burrow

      Everyone in an orange helmet at SoFi Stadium looks like a completely different player in this second half, with Joe Burrow leading the way.

    • Herbert coughs

      Geno Stone recovers the ball, and now the Bengals are in business. Logan Wilson’s foot snapped the ball, and now the Bengals can tie the game on this drive after trailing 27-6 in the third quarter.

    • A burrow for Higgins on a 4th and 2 for a touchdown

      Cincinnati got right back into the game with their explosive offense making a huge play. It’s 27-20 in the third quarter and the Bengals are right in this game.

    • The Bengals force a quick 3-and-out

      Cincinnati forces the snap. Joseph Ossai homered to relieve Justin Herbert, and now the Bengals are knocking on the door to get back into the game after a poor spot by JK Scott.

    Online Niel
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like