Coach Jim Harbaugh can finally quiet all the critics and the Los Angeles Chargers finally have their signature win.
Former Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers took on another elite quarterback from the 2020 draft class, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football. Herbert orchestrated a game-winning touchdown drive to clinch the 34-27 Chargers win.
“Great team win! It was awesome,” a gleeful Harbaugh said as he started his postgame remarks.
Herbert had a solid outing even though he completed less than 50% of his passes, finishing 17 for 36 for 297 yards, with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also got it done with his legs, and was the Chargers leading rusher with 65 yards on five carries.
Herbert had an on-field interview with Sunday Night Football’s Melissa Stark after the Chargers nail biting win over the Bengals.
“It wasn’t pretty, but we got the job done,” Herbert said. “That’s a win. That’s all we care about it.”
“The defense did a great job getting stops and they got us the ball back when we needed it,” Herbert said. “We knew we had to go make a play. It came down to the final drive. Ladd made a couple big catches and J.K. with that huge run. Props to the guys for sticking through it.”
Herbert and the Chargers could not have done it without running back JK Dobbins and rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey.
“This guy (JK Dobbins) makes big plays. Ladd (McConkey) made big plays when we needed it,” Herbert said.
The Chargers displayed toughness and resilience, taking on the personality of their coach, after taking their foot off the gas pedal and letting the Bengals back into the game and were able to make the plays down the stretch to pick up the win.
Embed from Getty ImagesSignal caller Herbert and the Chargers could not have scripted a better start on the big stage.
After going three-and-out on their first possession, the Chargers found the end zone three straight times. They went into the locker room completely in control of the game, up by 18, 24-6. The Chargers extended their lead to 27-6 in the third quarter, but Burrow and the Bengals refused to roll over and turned things around immediately.
Bengals quarterback Burrow found wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase for a pair of touchdowns and threw another to Tee Higgins, who missed the last three games with a quad injury, and the game was tied 27-27. The Bengals had their chances to take the lead in the fourth quarter but Cincinnati kicker Evan McPherson missed back-to-back go-ahead field goals.
“I just think it was a tough loss. The first half didn’t go our way. We fought back, had our opportunities to seal the deal, and we didn’t,” said Burrow, who completed 28 of 50 passes.
It came down to the wire. With 45 seconds left in a 27-27 game, the Chargers got the ball at their own 16-yard line. Herbert connected with wide receiver McConkey for completions of 28 and 27 yards to move the Chargers down to the Bengals 29. On the next play, Herbert handed the ball to Dobbins, who broke off a 29-yard touchdown run with just 18 seconds left in the game.
The Chargers survived to improve to 7-3 on the season and are in a great position to make the playoffs in coach Harbaugh’s first year at the helm. They could even win the division with the Kansas City Chiefs losing earlier in the day, 30-21, against the Buffalo Bills.
“We’ve played some really good football teams, and we’ve just got to find a way to finish,” Bengals’ coach Zac Taylor said. “I keep saying that, and obviously we’re a play away every time I say it. I’ve still got the confidence that we can get this thing done.”
After a much-needed bye week, the Bengals host Russell Wilson and their AFC North Division rival Pittsburgh Steelers on December 1.
The Chargers host Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, November 25 in the third installment of the ‘Harbaugh Bowl’ between coach Jim Harbaugh and his older brother, John.
