The Cincinnati Bengals are no strangers to pulling themselves out of an early season hole. Last season, they nearly made the playoffs after a 1-3 start. In 2022, they opened 1-2 on their way to an AFC championship appearance. In 2021, the Bengals were 5-4 before they broke out en route to the Super Bowl.
After a 1-4 start to this season, the Bengals find themselves at 4-6, but in an enviable spot heading into Week 11, with a chance to gain ground on one of the teams ahead of them in the AFC wild-card race, the Los Angeles Chargers.
L.A. has found its stride under head coach Jim Harbaugh, racing out to a 6-3 start that has the Chargers firmly in the hunt in the AFC playoff picture, even if they entered Week 11 three games back of the Chiefs in the division. The Chargers hang their hat on the No. 6 total defense and No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL, and they’ll need to show up after Joe Borrow (35-of-56, 428 yards, 4 TD) and Ja’Marr Chase (11 catches, 264 yards, 3 TD) torched the Ravens in a thrilling 35-34 loss on Thursday Night Football in Week 10.
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A Burrow to Higgins 💣 on a 4th and 2 for a Touchdown
Cincinnati is right back in the game, with their explosive offense making a giant play. Its 27-20 in the thrid quarter, and the Bengals are squarely in this game.
Bengals force a quick 3-and-out
Cincinnati forces the quick punt. Joseph Ossai got home to sack Justin Herbert, and now the Bengals are knocking on the door of getting back in the game after a poor punt by J.K. Scott.
Ja’Marr Chase give the Bengals some life
The lead is cut to two touchdowns, and the Cincy defense will need to step up, but Chase’s 11th touchdown of the season gets the Bengals into a more manageable situation midway through the thrid quarter.
Chase Brown breaks out to get the Bengals close to scoring position
Cincy needs chunk plays and they got one from the run game with Chase Brown to get in the red zone.
Dicker adds to the lead after L.A. drive stalls
The action has slowed in the the third quarter, but that doesn’t mean the Chargers have stopped scoring. Cameron Dicker’s 53-yard field goal has the Chargers up 27-6, and the Cincinnati offense still can’t get out of first gear.
Bengals defense opens 2nd half by forcing 3-and-out
The Chargers had scored on each of their last four possessions to end the first half, so Cincinnati got the first little win they needed to try to get back in the game.
Cameron Dicker makes it a 24-6 game at the half
The Chargers got the ball down to the 1-yard-line after a penalty, and with four seconds left chose the field goal, as they’ll receive the second half kickoff. It was a thoroughly dominant first half by the Chargers who had 17 first downs and 272 yards, averaging nearly nine yards per play over the first two quarters.
Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (27) leaps into the end zone to score a rushing touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Justin Herbert is now up to 59 yards rushing in the first half
This was a third down to keep the drive alive.
Just about everyone on the Chargers is eating tonight
Next up to the buffet, Poona Ford.
J.K. Dobbins on a 4th down plunge puts the Chargers up 21-6
Los Angeles has gotten whatever they’ve wanted tonight. Dobbins is on the board with his fifth rushing touchdown in the past six games.
Its ALL coming up Justin Herbert tonight.
He’s up to 50 rushing yards with his two huge runs tonight, this one for 30 yards
Tuli Tuipulotu ends the Cincy drive its another sack
Last week, the Ravens gave up 290 passing yards an 4 touchdown passes to Lamar Jackson. They’ll need better than this to keep up with the Chargers offense which has been on fire to start tonight.
Justin Herbert is 6-for-6 for 123 yards and two touchdown passes
The Bengals would be well served to slow down the Chargers passing attack.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Justin Herbert is putting on a clinic
This is a crazy good throw. Not just unteachably great arm talent, but the athleticism to make this eye-popping throw is just outrageous.
And on the drive before the TD pass, Herbert was dotting up the Bengals.
Charges Ladd McConkey is questionable to return
Chargers hold Bengals to another red zone field goal attempt
Los Angeles has bowed up on D when Cincy has been in the red zone. Evan McPherson convets a 27-yard field goal this time to make the scoer 7-6 in favor of the Chargers. Cincy has been able to mve the ball between the 20s, but the Chargers’ secondary has been sticky in coverage once the field gets
Bengals convert on big 4th down to end the first quarter
After the two teams traded timeouts before the play. Joe Burrow found Tee Higgins for the first down to keep the Cincy drive alive as the Bengals look to answer the L.A. touchdown with the second quarter getting started.
Will Dissly on the receiving end of this frozen rope from Justin Herbert
This ball was SPUN by Herbert for the game’s first touchdown. 29 yards in the reception and Dissly hayls in his 14th career touchdown.
Justin Hebert with a big run for L.A.
Herbert gains 20 yards on the scramble to get the ball near midfield for L.A.
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