Los Angeles Chargers furiously withstand Cincinnati Bengals comeback attempt to win 34-27

On By Littum

In a Week 11 slate defined by huge NFL matchups, one of the best was saved for last.

Under the “Sunday Night Football” spotlight, a desperate Cincinnati team in a hurry to maintain its slim playoff hopes fell behind 27-6 to the Chargers and appeared listless in the early minutes of the third quarter before scoring 21 points in streak of three consecutive drives in the second half to force a tie and turn a yawner into a thriller.

It had opportunities to break it late in the fourth quarter. But Bengals kicker Evan McPherson missed two field goals wide left — one by mere inches, the other by feet — to give the Chargers the opportunity to close out what once looked like a sure win.

With 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter, and 84 yards from the end zone, Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert began what would be the game-winning drive. After Herbert found receiver Ladd McConkey for long completions, he handed off to running back JK Dobbins, who ran in the 29-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left. They were the first points the Chargers (7-3) scored after their previous five drives ended in either punts or a fumble.

Cincinnati’s 21-point rally would have matched the franchise record for largest comeback. Instead, Chargers defensive back Alohi Gilman overthrew Joe Burrow’s Hail Mary attempt short of the goal line as time expired. The Bengals (4-7) settle for another close loss and are now 1-6 in games decided by a touchdown or less. Herbert completed 17 of his 36 passes, which set a season low for completion percentage, for 297 yards with two touchdowns, and added 65 yards on the ground, but he also fumbled.

Dobbins added 56 yards and the Chargers rushed for 155 total, their most since Week 2.

McConkey caught six passes for 123 yards, 55 of which came on the final drive of the game.

Since starting 0-3, the Bengals had won four of their last seven going into Sunday, with one of those losses coming in overtime and another by just one point. Not being able to close out close games was a trend: In one-score games, they were 1-5. Make it 1-6 now despite Burrows’ second-half theatrics. He threw for 356 yards on 50 attempts, with two touchdowns to Tee Higgins (148 yards) and another to Ja’Marr Chase (75 yards).