Chargers beat Bengals for signature win under Jim Harbaugh

On By Littum

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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Jim Harbaugh’s postgame reaction was fitting for what happened during a thrilling 34-27 Sunday Night Football victory over Cincinnati Bengals.

“Great win,” Harbaugh shouted. “Great team win. It was great.”

Harbaugh could have fixed what has traditionally plagued Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers have notoriously found unique ways to lose games. Sunday night brought to mind the Chargers’ latest epic nightmare collapse, a playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 postseason.

Los Angeles had a 27-point lead before faltering to Jacksonville in 2022.

On Sunday, the Chargers gave up a 27-6 advantage in the second half and were tied at 27 in the fourth quarter.

Unlike the Jacksonville debacle, however, the Chargers battled through adversity and withstood a furious second-half rally by Cincinnati.

“It was like two heavyweights going at it,” Harbaugh said. “Offensive, we were at our best when our best was needed. Defense was at our best when our best was needed. Special teams, we’re at our best when our best was needed. It’s a complete team effort in doing that. But all three phases went up and played their best football when our best football was most needed.”

In a game that was a tale of two halves, the Chargers had a commanding 24-6 lead at halftime. But the Chargers’ lead faded as Joe Burrow and the Bengals scored 21-answer points to tie the game, 27-27, in the final quarter.

Bengals kicker Evan McPherson missed a 48-yard field goal and a 51-yard field goal with under two minutes left in the fourth quarter that gave the Chargers an opening. The Chargers defense then forced Cincinnati to punt with 55 seconds left in the game.

Justin Herbert and the Chargers needed just 27 seconds to go 84 yards down the field for a game-winning drive that was capped by a 29-yard touchdown run by running back JK Dobbins.

Burrow had another desperation attempt, but his Hail Mary pass with three seconds left was batted down by a Chargers safety Derwin James Jr.

“Shout out to the defense for giving us that opportunity,” Herbert said. “We knew we had to make a play. It came down to that drive. Ladd (McConkey) had a couple of big big catches and then, you know, JK (Dobbins) with the big run. So props to the guys who persevere, stay patient and get the job done.”

Los Angeles has won four straight games, the team’s longest streak since the 2022 season. But Sunday’s primetime win against a Burrow-led Bengals team was a signature win the team lacked before Week 11.

Sunday’s performance could be a turning point for a Harbaugh-led Chargers club trying to establish a winning culture.

“We’re trying to put a leash on the league. Let them know we’re serious about what we’re doing. I think it just goes to the type of culture we have,” Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henleywho had a game-high 11 tackles, said. “This is a different team. That’s not what the Charges have been. That’s not what the fans should be used to. When we had moments where we should have won, we try to hold it down and make sure we do it It is what we prepare for, that we work for, but we work for it.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.