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 urgent to maintain its slim playoff hopes trailed 27-6 to the Chargers and appeared listless in the early minutes of the third quarter before it scored 21 straight points on 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 just inches, the second by feet — to give the Chargers the opportunity to close out what once seemed like an assured victory.
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 J.K. Dobbins, who ran in the go-ahead 29-yard touchdown with 18 seconds to play. They were the first points scored by the Chargers (7-3) after their previous five drives ended either in punts or a fumble.
Cincinnati’s 21-point rally would have matched the franchise record for largest comeback. Instead, Chargers defensive back Alohi Gilman knocked down Joe Burrow’s Hail Mary attempt short of the goal line as time expired. The Bengals (4-7) settle for yet another close loss and are now 1-6 in games decided by a touchdown or less. Herbert completed 17 of his 36 passes, setting 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 overall, their most since Week 2.
McConkey grabbed six passes for 123 yards, with 55 coming on the game’s final drive.
Since they started 0-3, the Bengals had won four of their last seven entering Sunday, with one of those losses 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 that 1-6 now, despite Burrow’s 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).
