In what looked like an epic collapse in the making, the Los Angeles Chargers survived on a 29-yard TD run from J.K. Dobbins in the closing seconds on “Sunday Night Football” to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 34-27.
While the Chargers could not maintain their halftime lead, some late defensive stops and a pair of missed field goals kept the Bengals from taking the lead in the fourth quarter.
Dobbins had 11 carries for 56 yards and two TDs in the game, providing the Chargers with a balanced attack on the ground when it mattered most.
Here are some other key takeaways from Sunday’s nightcap.
Justin Herbert makes crucial plays despite being held in check
It looked like Herbert was going to be hard to contain for a struggling Bengals defense. Herbert was so impressive in the first half that NBC’s Cris Collinsworth referred to his touchdown throw to Quentin Johnston as “sensational.”
Herbert only completed 17 of his 36 passes for 297 yards and two TDs. He also rushed five times for 65 yards. After a fast start to the game, Herbert cooled off until some late throws to put Los Angeles in position to get the win.
While it was not flashy from start to finish, Herbert still made the plays when he needed to.
Bengals defense shows signs of improvement
While the Bengals offense has been impressive, the defense has been a different story this season. Coming into Sunday night, the Bengals defense ranked 26th in the league in opponent points per game, per TeamRankings.
After a rough first half allowing 24 points from the Chargers, the defense responded by only allowing a field goal in the second half before the game-winning TD run and forcing a Herbert fumble early in the fourth quarter.
Facing adversity, the Cincinnati defense stepped up and showed some encouraging signs when the team needed it most. The end of the game shows the Bengals keep having difficulty closing out games.
Considering six of the Bengals’ seven losses have been by one possession, this issue does not seem to be going away.
Chargers not out of division race
It may have been ugly, but the Chargers win keeps their division hopes alive going forward. With the Kansas City Chiefs losing to the Buffalo Bills, the Chiefs (9-1) hold a two-game lead on the Chargers (7-3) in the AFC West.
The Chargers have an excellent opportunity to win the division in Jim Harbaugh’s first season as head coach, as they will have a second meeting with the Chiefs scheduled on Dec. 8.
Bengals’ season continues to unravel
Although Burrow passed for 356 yards and three TDs on Sunday night, the Bengals suffered another loss. That is nothing new for Burrow considering he has passed for 300 or more yards four times this season with 24 TDs and only four interceptions.
Per TeamRankings, Burrow is tied for the league lead in TD passes, showing just how phenomenal he has been this season. With running back Chase Brown’s emergence (521 yards and five rushing TDs), Ja’Marr Chase (981 receiving yards and 10 TDs) and Tee Higgins looking impressive in the losing effort, the Bengals have the talent to contend.
As has been the case all season, close games seem to get away from Cincinnati, leaving the Bengals in a precarious position to make the postseason going forward.
