In recent years, the Los Angeles Chargers have been on the losing end of multiple double-digit comeback victories, most notoriously against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 Wild Card round, when a 27-7 halftime lead evaporated before their eyes.
On Sunday night, this “Chargers curse” almost came to fruition once again, but Jim Harbaugh and company continue to prove this is not the same Chargers team from years past.
The Chargers got off to a hot start on both sides of the football, entering halftime on top 24-6.
After a three-and-out on its initial drive, LA’s offense would go on to score on four consecutive series.
Quarterback Justin Herbert found tight end Will Dissly and receiver Quentin Johnston for 29 and 26-yard touchdowns, respectively, while J.K. Dobbins scored from one yard out on fourth-and-goal to spring LA towards a substantial early lead.
Herbert and the offense were nothing short of excellent in the first half, seemingly one step ahead of Cincinnati’s defense on every down. The star quarterback put together his best half of football this season, finishing the game with 297 air yards and two touchdowns while leading the team on the ground with 65 rushing yards.
Standout rookie receiver Ladd McConkey hauled in six receptions for 123 yards, while Dissly added 80 yards and a score. Dissly was primarily known as a blocking tight end, but has quietly become a crucial safety blanket for Herbert, recording four or more receptions in four of the last five weeks.
It was not only the offense who excelled in the first half, as LA’s defense forced three punts and allowed just six first half points, taking a bend-don’t-break approach and keeping the Bengals out of the end zone.
And after the Chargers added another field goal in the third quarter to extend their lead to 21, it seemed like they could turn on cruise control and ride out a seventh win.
However, in just over seven minutes, Cincinnati strung together three consecutive, methodical scoring drives to knot the game at 27 apiece.
Quarterback Joe Burrow returned to his usual form in the second half, making the Chargers secondary look elementary in comparison to the first half. Burrow found his favorite target Ja’Marr Chase in the end zone twice and connected with Tee Higgins for a 42-yard touchdown strike in the receiver’s injury comeback.
Higgins, who missed the last three weeks rehabbing a quad injury, led Cincinnati with nine receptions for 148 yards and one touchdown. Burrow finished with 356 passing yards and three touchdowns, while running back Chase Brown tallied 86 yards on the ground.
With Cincinnati’s offense seemingly unstoppable and LA’s offense going stagnant, the road team seemingly held all the momentum.
After forcing a fourth straight defensive stop, Cincinnati worked the ball into field goal range for fourth-year kicker Evan McPherson. McPherson failed to capitalize from 48 yards out and would miss again from 51 yards on the Bengals ensuing drive.
The usually reliable McPherson has struggled this season, making only 15 of his 21 field goal attempts for a career-low 71.4% make rate.
After enduring five consecutive non-scoring drives, LA had a chance at a go-ahead score after forcing its first punt since early in the third quarter.
Herbert would lead a four-play, 84-yard touchdown drive in under 30 seconds, connecting with McConkey on a pair of completions for just over 25 yards each to set up shop at the Bengals 29-yard-line.
Dobbins capped off the drive with a 29-yard go-ahead touchdown run, putting aside the anxiety of a field goal attempt as time expired.
With the win, LA has now emerged victorious in four straight games and has put the team in prime position for the top wildcard spot in the AFC, sitting only two games behind the Chiefs in the AFC West, who just suffered their first loss of the season against Buffalo.
The Chargers will host the Baltimore Ravens next Monday night for a game with major playoff implications. Baltimore is coming off a sloppy loss against its division rival Pittsburgh Steelers and needs a win to stay in the AFC North title race.
LA’s defense, which struggled down the stretch versus Cincinnati, will have its hands full with Baltimore’s backfield of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, who leads the league in rushing.
On the flip side, Herbert and company will aim to attack an underperforming Baltimore secondary, who ranks last in passing yards allowed this season.